Human Trafficking Awareness, January 2026
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✦ Resource Roundup
Human trafficking is an insidious crime where people profit from the exploitation of others. It involves using force, fraud, or coercion to control another person for labor or commercial sex. Victims of trafficking are compelled to provide labor or sexual acts in exchange for something of value like money, food, shelter, or drugs. Human trafficking happens in every community, but it often goes unnoticed because it might look different than what we expect. That's why we're taking this moment to raise awareness about what human trafficking is.
One common myth about human trafficking is that victims are kidnapped by a stranger and forced into modern-day slavery. The truth is that the person exploiting the survivor is often someone the survivor knows or trusts. That can make it hard to even recognize that you're being taken advantage of, let alone know how to avoid or escape the situation. Most human trafficking survivors are people in vulnerable circumstances who were trapped by emotional manipulation, threats, financial control, or false promises rather than physical abduction.
Trafficking survivors can't be squeezed into a single box. Survivors can be children or adults. They can be someone of any race, gender, sexuality, or ability. They may be US citizens or immigrants. Trafficking thrives on vulnerability. Housing instability, financial stress, isolation, addiction, or prior abuse may increase your risk, but they are not reasons for you to be exploited. Exploitation is never the survivor's fault.
The signs of human trafficking will look different in every situation, because every situation is different. You are more likely to recognize the signs of trafficking in someone you know than in a stranger because you will know what is "normal" for that person or situation. There are red flags that you can look for that might indicate that someone is being harmed or trafficked.
- The person is always accompanied by someone who seems controlling or who closely monitors them.
- The person doesn't have access to important documents like their driver's license, passport, or credit card.
- They appear submissive and fearful. They might be inadequately dressed for their work, the situation, or the weather.
- There are physical signs of harm, such as malnourishment or bruises and injuries in different stages of healing.
- They are isolated from the community, and from their friends or families.
- The person has sudden changes in behavior or is acting strange.
You may be experiencing trafficking, if you are:
- being forced to have sex for money or something of value against your will
- under 18 and engaging in commercial sex
- being forced to work or perform services against your will
For more signs and the risk factors for human trafficking visit:
Recognizing the Signs | National Human Trafficking Hotline
Across Pennsylvania there are groups and coalitions taking the challenge to address human trafficking.
🔗 Human Trafficking | Office of Victim Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
🔗 Pennsylvania Human Trafficking Day | patrafficking.org/
🔗 PA Coalition Against Human Trafficking | pahumantrafficking.org
What can you do? Trust your instincts. If something feels off and you suspect that you or someone else is being trafficked there are people that you can speak with about the situation.
In PA many people who work with or interact with children and youth are mandated reporters, but everyone is encouraged to make reports when they suspect human trafficking of children or adults.
Reports of sex trafficking involving children should be made immediately to ChildLine, either online or by calling 1-800-932-0313.
Reports of suspected human trafficking may also be made to 911 or to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text “BeFree” (233733). You can also chat with them or make an anonymous online report at Report Trafficking | National Human Trafficking Hotline.
You can always reach out to Victim Services and we will do everything in our power to help you.
24/7 Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-894-3706.
✦ Resource Roundup
🔗 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Abuse of Older Adults | PCADV & PCAR
Older adults can be victims of human trafficking, abuse, and exploitation, often linked to domestic violence or sexual assault. Age-related vulnerabilities like isolation and dependency increase their risk. These crimes are underreported, but laws like Pennsylvania’s Act 105 offer protection.
🔗 Pennsylvania Human Trafficking Resource & Coordination Project | Commission on Crime and Delinquency | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Collection of resources for those looking to learn more about human trafficking, no matter their role. Shares how the commonwealth is working to prevent and respond to human trafficking and how to support survivors.
🔗 Recognizing Human Trafficking - Polaris
Human trafficking can be and look like a lot of things. This is a collection of resources and trainings that can help you learn the signs of trafficking in different contexts.
🔗 Safety Planning Information | National Human Trafficking Hotline
Whether you or someone else has been a victim of human trafficking already or if you're considering a suspicious job or relationship and feel at risk of trafficking, you can make a plan to help lower your risk.