Human Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining a child for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Under federal law, sex trafficking (such as prostitution, pornography, exotic dancing, survival sex, etc.) does not require there be force, fraud, or coercion if the victim is under the age of 18. 

PA Human Trafficking Laws

Pennsylvania’s Human Trafficking Law (Chapter 30: Title 18 — Crimes and Offenses) was enacted on July 2, 2014, and has been updated several times. It defines different ways that individuals are trafficked, as well as the prosecution of offenders, and protection for victims.

Who is most at risk?

Children and teenagers are the most at risk when it comes to human trafficking. In particular, the following groups of youths present the highest at-risk populations:

•  Youth in the foster care system
• Youth who reside in a residential or congregate care setting
• Youth who identify as LGBTQ
• Youth who are homeless or runaway
• Youth with disabilities
• Youth with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders
• Youth with a history of sexual abuse
• Youth with a history of being involved in the child welfare system
• Youth with family dysfunction
• Youth who lack supportive and stable home lives 

Identification/Warning Signs 

•  A youth that has been verified to be under 18 and is in any way involved in the sex industry, or has a record of prior arrest for prostitution or related charges
• Has an explicitly sexual online profile
• Frequenting of internet chat rooms or classified sites
• Depicts elements of sexual exploitation in drawing, poetry, or other modes of creative expression
• Frequent or multiple sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancies
• Has unexplained bruises 
• Lies about or is not aware of their true age
• Has no knowledge of personal data, such as their age, name, or date of birth
• Has no identification
• Wearing sexually provocative clothing
• Wears new clothes of any style, gets their hair or nails done without the financial means to do so
• Secrecy about whereabouts
• Has late nights or unusual hours
• Has a tattoo that they are reluctant to explain
• Is in a controlling or dominating relationship
• Does not have control of their own finances
• Exhibiting hyper-vigilance or paranoid behaviors
• Expressing interest in or in relationships with adults or much older adults
• Has a significant change in behavior (including increased social media and new associates or friends at school)
• Avoids answering questions or lets someone else speak for them
• Lies about their age or identity
• Uses specific terms such as "trick," "the life," or "the game"
• Multiple children are present with an unrelated adult
• Has multiple cell phones or items that they have no way of purchasing on their own
• Has an older, or simply controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner or “sponsor” who will not allow you to meet or speak with them alone or monitors their movements, spending or communications 
• Appears to be newly showered with gifts or money or otherwise become the object of some kind of overwhelming, fast-moving and asymmetric (young/older; wealthy/struggling) romantic relationship 
• Is developing a relationship which seems “too close” with someone they know solely on social media 
• Has unaddressed medical issues or  goes to the ER or clinic alone, or with an unrelated adult
• Is found in a hotel, street track, truck stop, or strip club