Victims are controlled physically, emotionally and financially. Escape is difficult because victims of human trafficking are often invisible. They may be afraid to approach authorities because they fear threats of harm against their families or deportation if they are not U.S. citizens. They may have no idea how to get help.

Learn more about resources available for victims and survivors.

Since 2002, Washington State has been at the forefront nationally in addressing and combating human trafficking and providing services for victims.

Learn more about statewide reports related to human trafficking.

The Washington State Legislature has long been committed to increasing access to support services and promoting awareness of trafficking throughout the state. In 2002, Washington was the first state to create an anti-trafficking task force.

Learn more about current task forces and committees working on human trafficking.

If a person is experiencing or believes they would experience serious harm if they tried to leave a work or commercial sex situation, they may be a victim of trafficking.

Some questions to ask:

1. Is this person experiencing violence, deception or threats which will make it difficult or impossible to leave the work situation?

2. Does this person owe a debt which makes it difficult or impossible to leave a work situation?

3. Is this person a minor who was induced to engage in commercial sex?

Learn more about the warning signs of human trafficking.

Anyone under the age 18 who is induced to engage in commercial sex is a trafficking victim, according to federal law. This form of trafficking is called Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). CSEC occurs when a child or third party is offered or given money, goods or services for the sexual use of the child.

Learn more about CSEC, including the warning signs.

The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy has developed and compiled a number of resources to help service providers recognize the signs of trafficking with the clients they serve, and how to know what steps to take to assist victims and survivors.

Learn more about available resources.

Oftentimes data assists with identifying the incidence rate of crime(s), individuals impacted and additional information. Data related to human trafficking is unique. Multiple different systems may track data related to labor and sex trafficking such as law enforcement (local, federal, tribal), programs, non-profits, state agencies, county and city jurisdictions, Tribes and more. Data is captured based on requirements of various data systems that are used. Demographics and other information collected is also unique.

Data related to labor and sex trafficking assists by identifying a portion of the incidence rate but does not tell the whole story of what is occurring.

2020 Human Trafficking Data