Information on Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking

  • Sex Trafficking: The recruiting, harboring, transportation,
    provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person
    for the purpose of a commercial sex act in which the
    commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion
    or in which the person induced to perform such an act is
    under 18 y.o.
  • Labor Trafficking: The recruiting, harboring,
    transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for
    labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or
    coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary
    servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

Promotion of Human Labor Trafficking

  • IC 35-42-3.5-1
    A person who, by force, threat of force, coercion,
    or fraud, knowingly or intentionally recruits,
    harbors, provides, obtains, or transports an
    individual to engage the individual in labor or
    services.

    *Effective July 1, 2018

Promotion of Human Trafficking

  • IC 35-42-3.1-1.1 [was IC 35-42-3.5-1(a)(2)]
  • A person who knowingly or intentionally uses force,
    threat of force, coercion, or fraud to recruit, entice,
    harbor, or transport an individual with the intent of
    causing the individual to:
    • marry another person;
    • engage in prostitution; or
    • participate in sexual conduct
  • Level 4 felony
    *Effective July 1, 2018

Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking 

  • IC 35-42-3.5-1.2(a) [was IC 35-42-3.5-1(b)(1)(B)]
    A person who knowingly or intentionally recruits, entices, harbors or
    transports a child less than 18 years with the intent of causing the child
    to engage in:
    • prostitution or juvenile prostitution; or
    • a performance or incident that includes sexual conduct in violation
      of IC 35-42-4-4(b) or IC 35-42-4-4(c) [child exploitation].
  • Effective July 1, 2018
    …it is not a defense…that the child consented to engage in prostitution or
    to participate in sexual conduct
  • Any minor engaged in commercial sexual conduct is a victim of sex
    trafficking.

Vulnerable Youth Populations

  • Runaway / homeless / truant youth
  • Youth in poverty
  • Youth with system involvement
  • Youth with a personal or family history of abuse/neglect/substance abuse
  • Youth with a personal or family history of untreated mental health issues
  • LGBTQI+ youth
  • Immigrant/Refugee youth

Red Flags/Quick Indicators

  • If you observe any one of these with someone under 18, call the Indiana Department of Child Services
    Hotline (800) 800-5556 and ask to initiate a human trafficking report
    • Youth acknowledges exchanging sex for money/goods
    • Youth is advertised on social media/internet
    • Adult other than parent speaking for youth and is controlling
    • Prolonged period of absence from home without explanation 
    • Branding/tattoos (names, numbers, dollar signs, emblems @ neck, chest,
        fingers, lower back
    • Excess cash and/or goods/ services they cannot afford
    • Inappropriate clothing for occasion/time of year
    • Multiple hotel room keys, marbles, poker chips, or cell phones
    • Youth is unfamiliar with the area
    • False identification/Scripted or restricted communication
    • Controlling adult/partner
    • Signs of physical, sexual, or psychological trauma, malnutrition

National Human Trafficking Hotline

  • 1 (888) 373-7888
  • Text "HELP" or "INFO” to 233733
    24 hours, 7 days a week
  • English, Spanish, and 200 more languages

 

 

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