Thousands of men, women and children are trafficked into the U.S. each year. The Institute assists foreign-born trafficking survivors by providing direct, trauma-informed services to adults and children. The Institute also offers training and technical assistance to other agencies.
The International Institute helps trafficking survivors:
- Find safe, affordable housing
- Access primary health care and mental health services
- Obtain job training and job placement services
- Learn English
- Obtain referrals for other social services
Human Trafficking Definitions
- Sex Trafficking: the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which a commercial act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or when the person is induced to perform such acts is under 18 years of age, no force, fraud, or coercion is necessary.
- Labor Trafficking: the recruitment, harboring, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
Indicators of Human Trafficking
Regarding the person
- Lack of control over personal schedule, money, identification, or other documents
- Lack of knowledge about the community they live in
- Accompanied by a controlling person or boss; not speaking on own behalf
- Inconsistent stories (“just visiting”)
- Depression, fear, overly submissive behavior
- Signs of assault, restraint, or malnourishment
Regarding the worksite
- Transported to or from work; lives and works in the same place
- Unnecessary or unusual security on work site
- Little pay, works long hours without breaks
- Owes debt to employer or crew leader; unable to leave job
If you suspect someone is being trafficked, use caution and:
- Notify the authorities
- Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733
Additional Anti Human Trafficking Resources
- Labor Trafficking Protocol Guidelines from The Advocates for Human Rights
- Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline: 1-866-223-1111 is a 24-hour crisis line that can help someone in/leaving a trafficking situation
- BCA Human Trafficking Task Force: law enforcement contact for human trafficking concerns in Minnesota.
- If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of being trafficked, call 911.
- To report a suspected trafficking situation, use the BCA Tip Form, call the BCA at 1-877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us.
How You Can Help
- Make a tax-deductible gift to the Institute.
- Donate goods like hygiene and household items to support survivors.
(See also the Safe Harbor Program at the Institute, services for sexually exploited youth)
