Human trafficking and exploitation

People are exploited in many ways — from being forced to work in restaurants and hotels, selling products such as water and souvenirs roadside, to being forced to perform sex acts. This exploitation is known as human trafficking.

There are many misconceptions about human trafficking. It’s important to know what it is and how to spot it to protect people we care about from falling victim — and to help people who are being exploited get help.

Trafficking is a significant problem in our community. It’s prevalent in rural, urban and suburban communities and along major highways throughout Wisconsin. It is happening in our own back yards and is impacting people of all ages and backgrounds, including children and young adults.

Human trafficking violates our basic human right to live free from slavery or servitude and to be treated with dignity and respect.

Note: At Sojourner, we prefer the word “survivor” rather than “victim” to honor an individual’s journey through violence to safety and healing. In the context of this article, we use the word “victim” to identify people who are currently (or at risk of) being exploited. This decision is made solely to provide clarity and is not intended to be disrespectful to survivors of human trafficking and exploitation.

What do you think of when you hear of human trafficking?

Do you imagine someone in chains or locked in a room, held against their will? Do you think of people in far-off countries working hours on end in dismal conditions?

While the scenarios above are true, human trafficking in the Milwaukee area looks different. Many trafficking victims move about freely and hold jobs in view of the public. They live, work and play among us, appearing on the surface to have personal freedom. But looks can be deceiving.

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion, either to illicit a commercial sex act or involuntary servitude, debt bondage or slavery. .

Human trafficking violates basic human rights protected under the Human Rights Act. Article 3 guards against inhumane and degrading treatment and Article 4 preserves the right to live free from slavery or servitude. Human trafficking violates the very core of these basic human rights.

How people are exploited

Trafficked people may be forced to perform a variety of tasks, including, but not limited to:

  • Commercial sex, stripping or pornography

  • Forced begging

  • Selling magazines, water and other products

  • Maids, domestic workers, au pairs or nannies

  • Restaurant work

  • Hair and nail salons, massage services

  • Farm work

  • Drug manufacture and sales

How traffickers find victims

Traffickers often trick or lure victims into forced labor by exploiting vulnerabilities (e.g., offer to pay off debts, protection from abuse, etc.) and then use threats and/or violence to maintain power and control. Traffickers may groom victims over time, building trust and gradually increasing the victim’s dependency on the trafficker.

How victims are targeted

There are several ways a person might be targeted by a trafficker:

Job opportunities — Some traffickers have posed as legitimate businesses hiring servers, models and hourly workers. Victims were asked to complete applications and I-9 forms, then coerced to work for less money or far from home.

Dating scenarios — Some victims report meeting traffickers the same way they meet romantic partners (mutual friends, online, etc.) At first, the relationship seems positive, but turns abusive.

Recruited by friends — Traffickers rely heavily on victims to recruit others. Some victims were recruited by co-workers, classmates and friends.

Born into the life — Some traffickers exploit their own children. Parents may force their kids to sell items (water, souvenirs and newspapers) and/or perform sex acts.

People vulnerable to trafficking may initially view their relationship with the trafficker in a positive light. The trafficker makes them feel loved, appreciated, valuable and special in a variety of ways. Sometimes, the trafficker provides basic needs, such as shelter, clothing and food, further deepening the victim’s reliance on the trafficker. Repayment can mean working for the trafficker for little or no pay and, in some cases performing sex acts.

What to look for

Warning signs can be physical, behavioral or both and should be reported to the authorities immediately.

Physical red flags:

  • Signs of physical abuse or torture (e.g., burn marks, bruises or cuts)

  • Signs of malnourishment

  • Appears to lack medical care

  • Behaves in a sexualized manner, dresses provocatively

  • Displays expensive clothes, accessories or shoes

  • Has a tattoo of a name, symbol of money or a bar code

  • Appears overly tired

  • Shows signs of gang affiliation (e.g., preference for specific colors, notebook doodles of gang symbols, etc.)

Behavioral red flags:

  • Unexplained absences from work/school

  • Acts withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out

  • Brags about making or having a lot of money

  • Has an older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle

  • Talks about wild parties or invites others to attend parties

  • Not allowed to speak for themselves

  • No access to personal documents or identification

  • No access to a bank account or any other money

  • Inconsistencies in their story regarding where they live or when they came to their current location

  • Lacks knowledge about the city or state they are in

  • Not allowed to contact friends and family

  • Not allowed to leave their living or working situation unless monitored

How Sojourner helps trafficked people

We are on the front lines of human trafficking and exploitation. Milwaukee is a hub for traffickers moving victims through the Midwest due to its close proximity to Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Victims are often moved to various locations along Wisconsin’s highway system and housed in area hotels and motels.

Sojourner has Advocates who specialize in helping people who are being exploited and trafficked. We work with law enforcement and local agencies to connect victims with food, shelter and support with the goal of breaking free from the trafficker.

We are part of the Milwaukee Joint Human Trafficking Task Force, www.mjhttf.org, a multidisciplinary team of law enforcement at all levels, non-government organizations and legal services working together in a victim-centered way to combat human trafficking.

We provide trafficking victims with emergency shelter services, support, and access to therapy, legal services and community resources. We help survivors regain control in their lives.

What you can do

If you suspect human trafficking or exploitation, do not confront traffickers directly or alert possible victims of your suspicions. Call the National Human Trafficking hotline or local law enforcement. If you know someone who is involved and need support, call Sojourner’s 24-hour hotline.

Resources

The National Trafficking Hotline
(888) 373-7888 | (TTY: 711) or text: BeFree (233733)

Sojourner 24-Hour Hotline
(414) 933-2722

Milwaukee Police Department (non-emergency number)
(414) 933-4444