Communicating with Victims of Human Trafficking

Most victims are afraid and initially hesitant to cooperate, often fearing for their lives. This document provides law enforcement with strategic word choice and usage geared to establish trust between the officer and the victim.

• You are safe now.
• No one here will hurt you.
• Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, victims of trafficking can apply for special visas or could receive other forms of immigration relief.
• Coming to us/Working with us will help you.
• You are a victim, not a criminal.
• What happened to you was wrong, and the person who did this to you should be in jail.
• You have a right to live without being abused.
• You deserve the chance to become self-sufficient and independent.
• By helping us, you are helping yourself.
• We can help get you what you need.
• We can help to protect your family.
• You can trust me.
• We want to make sure what happened to you doesn't happen to anyone else.
• You have rights.
• You are entitled to assistance. We can help you get assistance.
• If you are a victim of trafficking, you can receive help to rebuild your life safely in this country.

If you think you have come in contact with a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1.888.3737.888. This hotline will help you determine if you have encountered victims of human trafficking, will identify local resources available in your community to help victims, and will help you coordinate with local social service organizations to help protect and serve victims so they can begin the process of restoring their lives. For more information on human trafficking visit www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking.