End Human Trafficking


"Our fight against human trafficking is one of the great human rights causes of our time, and the United States will continue to lead it — in partnership with you. The change we seek will not come easy, but we can draw strength from the movements of the past. For we know that every life saved — in the words of that great Proclamation — is 'an act of justice'; worthy of 'the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God'."

— President Barack Obama



Presidential Actions

On April 9, 2013, the White House Forum to Combat Human Trafficking was held to highlight the significant progress this Administration has made to combat human trafficking, including developments since President Obama delivered his seminal speech on the fight to end trafficking in persons at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in September 2012. Watch the video to hear more about the Administration’s commitment with Deputy Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bill Corr; Survivor Organizer, Ima Matul, Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Susie Stern; and Ambassador of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the Department of State, Luis CdeBaca (right to left). Read more about the Forum here.

Learn More About Human Trafficking

"When a man, desperate for work, finds himself in a factory or on a fishing boat or in a field, working, toiling, for little or no pay, and beaten if he tries to escape — that is slavery. When a woman is locked in a sweatshop, or trapped in a home as a domestic servant, alone and abused and incapable of leaving — that’s slavery.

When a little boy is kidnapped, turned into a child soldier, forced to kill or be killed — that’s slavery. When a little girl is sold by her impoverished family — girls my daughters’ age — runs away from home, or is lured by the false promises of a better life, and then imprisoned in a brothel and tortured if she resists — that’s slavery. It is barbaric, and it is evil, and it has no place in a civilized world.”
— -President Barack Obama

It is estimated that more than 20 million men, women and children around the world are victims of human trafficking. The United States is a source, transit and destination country for some of these men, women and children — both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals — who are subjected to the injustices of human trafficking, including forced labor, debt bondage, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. Trafficking in persons can occur in both lawful and illicit industries or markets, including in brothels, massage parlors, street prostitution, hotel services, hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing, janitorial services, construction, health and elder care, and domestic service, among others.

Get Help, Report a Tip

Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a national, toll-free hotline available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. The NHTRC is not a law enforcement or immigration authority and is operated by a nongovernmental organization funded by the federal government. In an emergency, call 911.

Learn More

 

 
 
 

Latest News

From the Blog

See All

Videos