Bureau of Justice

Human trafficking: A network of crime hidden across a vast American landscape
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Human trafficking: A network of crime hidden across a vast American landscape

When Bekah Charleston was first targeted as a human trafficking victim, there were no whips, chains or white vans — just a kind face and a fake name who offered her a safe place to stay. As a 17-year-old Texas runaway, Charleston thought she was finding safe haven from drug dealers she had gotten involved…

Don't Forget our Teens During Child Abuse Prevention Month – Women's eNews
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Don't Forget our Teens During Child Abuse Prevention Month – Women's eNews

As we consider strategies for preventing child abuse during April, it’s important to remember that older kids and teens are at greater risk of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation than ever before. As these young people mature and experience more freedom and independence, they also need to be equipped with the knowledge to look out…

US prisoners have become modern slaves
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US prisoners have become modern slaves

Birds fly near the US Capitol at sunrise, on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, in this Feb 8, 2022 file photo. [Photo/Agencies] Americans tend to be indignant about “forced labor” in other countries but are unaware of the prevalence of forced labor in their own country. According to a report, “Captive Labor: Exploitation of Incarcerated…

With massage parlors unlicensed, human trafficking is difficult to police
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With massage parlors unlicensed, human trafficking is difficult to police

Federal law enforcement officers have discovered illicit massage parlors in every New Hampshire county, with victims of human trafficking being forced to have sex with customers. The National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 75 victims in New Hampshire in 2021, most involving sex in illicit massage parlors and spas. Law enforcement officers say the state’s lax…

Understanding and Pursuing Labor Trafficking Cases Collaboratively – MDPI
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Understanding and Pursuing Labor Trafficking Cases Collaboratively – MDPI

1. Introduction The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) was introduced in 2000, defining sex and labor trafficking and creating criminal statutes to facilitate investigations, prosecutions, and provide victim services in the United States [1]. Despite the TVPA, most local law enforcement agencies required years to begin investigating street level prostitution and residential brothels as potential…

Exploiting Prison Workers for Cheap Sheets
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Exploiting Prison Workers for Cheap Sheets

It took Johnny Perez over four years of making hundreds of bedsheets every day at a factory to reach the top pay tier: about 32 cents an hour, nearly double his starting wage. He was one of the highest-paid workers at Coxsackie Correctional Facility—a textile manufacturer run by the New York State prison system. When…

Human Trafficking in California
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Human Trafficking in California

In late January, a statewide task force made hundreds of arrests in conjunction with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Sustaining such efforts throughout the year requires understanding the scope of human trafficking and how to combat it. The available data suggest that California accounts for a shrinking share of the trafficking incidents that occur nationally….

Does the Super Bowl result in an increase in human trafficking? – ASU News
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Does the Super Bowl result in an increase in human trafficking? – ASU News

February 7, 2023 ASU expert, who teaches Fundamentals of Human Trafficking class, weighs in January was Human Trafficking Awareness month. The Super Bowl, which historically has been linked to an increase in sex trafficking, will be played at State Farm Stadium on Feb. 12. What better time, then, to check in with Samantha Calvin, an…

January Proclaimed Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Morris County
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January Proclaimed Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Morris County

Published on January 25, 2023 Proclamation Presented to Mendham Township Resident Dr. Christine Blood Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners today proclaimed January 2023 Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Morris County to raise awareness of human trafficking and educate the public on how to identify and prevent this crime. During the Board’s public work session…