Human Trafficking in the Wake of a Disaster

Information and resources for shelter operators

A young man’s covers his face with his hand, the word “stop” spelled out in black letters on his palm.

Do you manage evacuation shelters or provide alternate camps and sites for care? Then you likely know that disasters affect the most vulnerable populations. But do you know that disasters make people especially vulnerable to human trafficking? Use this information in your shelter and share it with others who provide these services so we all know more about how to recognize and act to prevent human trafficking before it happens.

Human trafficking is a serious public health concern, both domestically and worldwide.

Human trafficking is a crime that occurs when a trafficker compels a victim by force, fraud, or coercion to perform labor, services, or commercial sex. Anyone can be targeted by a trafficker.
Perpetrators of human trafficking manipulate and exploit others’ vulnerabilities for profit.
Even if victims initially consent to go with or work for the perpetrator, that consent is rendered meaningless when perpetrators exploit them for labor, services, or commercial sex.

Instability after a disaster can make people especially vulnerable to trafficking.

People may be more vulnerable because they are:

Displaced from their homes (temporarily living in a shelter)
Separated from family and friends
Disconnected from supportive services
Unable to safely earn income and be self-sufficient

People who don’t speak a local language may be more vulnerable because they:

Can’t communicate to authorities
Are afraid of physical harm or stigma
Have no access to assistance, services, or protection provided by local laws

Some populations are at higher risk for human trafficking.

While anyone can be affected by human trafficking, some populations you may encounter in your work are at higher risk:

Migrant and seasonal workers, refugees, or asylees
Disconnected or homeless youth or runaways
People with physical, emotional, or cognitive disabilities
Native persons
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex (someone who has natural bodily variations), and Two-Spirit (Native American or Alaskan Native who combine activities or traits of both men and women) individuals
Persons with a substance use disorder or with a history of substance use
Those transitioning out of child welfare, foster care, or juvenile justice and prison systems
Members of lower socio-economic groups
Survivors of other forms of violence

Traffickers gain control over victims by exploiting their vulnerabilities.

During environmental or public health disasters, traffickers can control victims through their need for basic resources such as food, water, and shelter. Other control methods include:

Physically assaulting or threatening serious harm
Psychologically manipulating or shaming
Providing false promises about work or living conditions
Pretending to have an intimate relationship
Pretending to provide protection
Withholding wages or debt bondage
Isolating the victim

Resources

If you think someone may be a victim of human trafficking, call or encourage them to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Or, text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733.

The resources below provide information about how to identify human trafficking and act accordingly. The majority of these resources can be printed and shared with shelter workers.

Printouts for Shelters