Victims of Human Trafficking Seeking Justice Through Civil Lawsuits

May’s edition of the PKSD Newsletter, You Should Know, discusses human trafficking in the U.S. This form of modern-day slavery occurs when people are forced or coerced into being exploited for labor, sex, marriage or even their organs.

The newsletter debunks common myths about human trafficking in the U.S. and explains how survivors of this practice are fighting to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Myths About Human Trafficking

Human trafficking affects approximately 45 million people around the world, including approximately 57,700 people in the U.S.

However, a lot of people believe certain myths about human trafficking here in the U.S.:

• Sex trafficking is the only form of human trafficking done in this nation – Many people do not know that labor trafficking is much more common than sex trafficking. The International Labour Organization estimates 68 percent of human trafficking around the world involves forced labor.
• Human trafficking only happens on the black market – This practice affects many legitimate industries, such as agriculture, hospitality, mining, domestic and home services, and health care.
• Victims often ask for help – Victims are often threatened and intimidated into not coming forward.

Justice for Human Traffickers

Even though millions of people have been victims of human trafficking, very few perpetrators have been brought to justice. In the U.S. in 2014, only 208 federal indictments were handed out for human trafficking.

However, civil courts and regional and international human rights organizations have heard a number of landmark cases that resulted in significant verdicts. This includes a $20 million verdict against a company that paid for hundreds of skilled workers from India to repair damage done by Hurricane Katrina. The company held the men in forced labor.

Government leaders have also been pushing for tighter scrutiny of global supply chains to ensure large retailers give consumers information about their efforts to end human trafficking.

How to Spot Victims of Human Trafficking

If you see or interact with anyone who does the following things, the person may be a victim of human trafficking:

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