HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OREGON
A common misconception about human trafficking is that it only happens abroad. In reality, it is happening here, in the United States and in Oregon. According to the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report, the United States is known as a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labor, debt bondage, and forced prostitution.
The United States is known as a destination country for transnational trafficking networks that bring foreign nationals (defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as "a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States") into the country for purposes of both sexual and labor exploitation. Primary countries of origin for foreign victimscertified by the U.S. government were Thailand, India, Mexico, Honduras, Philippines, Haiti, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. Cases involve both documented and undocumented workers, and they can occur in both legitimate and underground industries.
Victims of human trafficking in the United States also include U.S. citizens and residents trafficked within its borders. The internal, or” domestic,” human trafficking includes both sexual and labor exploitation of men, women and children.
Human trafficking has been identified in all 50 states; and both foreign-born and domestic victims of human trafficking have been identified in Oregon. Some contributing factors in our state include our transportation systems, agricultural and sex industries, and the economy. Human trafficking often remains hidden from public view, allowing traffickers to evade detection by law enforcement.
The Oregon OATH community awareness campaign helps bring human trafficking out of the shadows to raise awareness among Oregonians about this heinous form of exploitation. By exposing this crime, Oregonians can participate in creating comprehensive solutions to prevent and stop human trafficking, and at the same time encourage victims to come forward and seek help.
If you are a victim of human trafficking or would like to report a tip regarding suspected human trafficking, call 911 in an emergency, or for non-emergencies call the toll-free National Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.
If you would like more information on how you can help, contact us by clicking here or email
Source information:
US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons