Alabama

Known as the Heart of Dixie, Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819. The name Alabama is derived from an Indian word meaning “thicket clearers.” Alabama has been at the center of many American battles–between white settlers and Native Americans, and between the North and South in the Civil War. The state also is home to the first of three Space Camps in the United States. These camps let kids experience what it would be like to be in outer space. The capital is Montgomery, and state flower is the camellia.

Human trafficking is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds in Alabama and around the world. It is defined as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit someone for labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of exploitation. It can take many forms, including sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and domestic servitude.

In Alabama, the issue of human trafficking has received increasing attention in recent years. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 118 reported cases of human trafficking in the state in 2020. The majority of these cases involved sex trafficking, followed by labor trafficking.

Victims of human trafficking in Alabama may come from a variety of backgrounds and may be exploited in a variety of settings, including hotels, restaurants, factories, farms, and private homes. Some of the most common indicators of human trafficking in Alabama include:

• Victims who are unable to move or leave their place of work due to fear or coercion
• Victims who are controlled by their traffickers through force, threats, or intimidation
• Victims who are not allowed to speak for themselves or who are not allowed to make decisions about their own lives
• Victims who are not paid for their work or who are paid very little
• Victims who are not allowed to leave their place of work or who are constantly accompanied by their traffickers

If you suspect that someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking in Alabama, it is important to get help as soon as possible. You can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or the Alabama Department of Homeland Security’s Human Trafficking Unit at 1-866-872-4973. You can also contact local law enforcement or a trusted organization that provides services to trafficking victims.