Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking.

You may not know if you are being trafficked. You may not understand what it means to be exploited. You may not realize you are doing things because someone else is making you do them. Many people may not know what force, fraud, and coercion look like within a relationship, and may not have experienced or witnessed a healthy relationship.

But you do know something isn’t right.

Human traffickers will use any vulnerability or need—it could be something like housing, food, or simply a need to be seen or feel loved—to control their victims and benefit themselves (usually financially or sexually.) For more details on the risk factors anyone can experience, visit our What to Look For page.

It was never your fault no matter what. The shame you are carrying doesn’t belong to you – let go of the shame. It is never too late to begin healing. You are never too old, too broken or too lost to begin healing now. You are not alone. You are not alone. You are not alone.

-Robert

It can be difficult to recognize.

It might be very hard to acknowledge and accept that the person you trust could be taking advantage of you. However, if you can begin to identify your situation, it’s the first step toward freedom from exploitation.

Here are a few facts to help you consider your circumstances.

They do not determine human trafficking, they are simply meant to help you self-assess, and if you choose, speak with a trauma-informed service provider who is trained in addressing human trafficking issues.

THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO BOTH LABOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING:

Human traffickers exploit people of any age, any gender, any circumstance, if they think they can profit.

Human traffickers often do not pay victims for work, or pay them very little.

Human traffickers sometimes offer “free” food, housing, or other necessities, instead of paying you for work, or in exchange for sexual acts.

THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO BOTH LABOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING:

Human trackers may tell you that you owe them a debt to keep you working without pay.

Human trackers may control you with threats such as going to the police, telling people at your school, or causing harm to you or your family.

Human trackers may use shame, like calling you names or telling you that you are bad. They may say your family or friends won’t accept you because of things you have done.

THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO BOTH LABOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING:

Human trackers may create an environment of fear so you are too afraid to speak out or leave.

Human trackers could hold your ID, or make you get a false ID or documentation (driver’s license, passport, etc.) so you feel trapped.

Human trackers could ask you to lie about the relationship. For example telling you to tell others that you are their child, niece, nephew, significant other, etc., to cover up the truth.

SEX TRAFFICKING COULD ALSO INCLUDE:

Human trackers who make you feel like you owe them something, so you feel like you have to have sex with them or other people.

Human trackers who say they love you and then ask you to perform sexual acts with them or someone else even when you don’t want to.

To find out more, or to get connected to resources and advocates who can help, please call Colorado’s Human Trafficking Hotline at 866-455-5075 or text 720-999-9724.

It is not your fault.

Being in an abusive situation does not make you weak or ignorant. It is not something to be ashamed of. People who have been exploited are also strong, resilient, smart, kind, and capable of an amazing future.

Reach out.

You may feel like it is your fault, or you may feel ashamed, but you are not to blame. Talk to someone. A friend, neighbor, teacher, coach, member of your church, health care provider, even a waiter or store clerk. Talking to someone you trust can be a good first step. No matter what, you can always anonymously call or text Colorado’s Human Trafficking Hotline to find out what resources are available to help, or to ask questions.

This experience is so confusing, and the relationships embedded into it are extremely complicated. However, I took one small step, telling someone that something wasn’t right, and from there, my journey and experiences started to change.

-Anonymous

CALL OR TEXT
COLORADO’S HUMAN
TRAFFICKING HOTLINE:

CALL 866-455-5075
Available 24/7
CALL NOW

TEXT 720-999-9724
Available between noon and midnight MT
TEXT NOW

Calling Colorado’s Human Trafficking Hotline.

It can be difficult to pick up the phone or text a stranger and tell them about your personal experiences. Please know, when you call the hotline a trained advocate will answer and you will always be given choices.

You can remain anonymous.
You can call back as many times as you need to.
Service providers will not call you if you do not want them to, and they will not call law enforcement if you don’t want them to and you are over 18. (For youth under the age of 18 hotline advocates are mandatory reporters.)

Hotline advocates are trained to:

Listen to you.

Speak your language or can access an interpreter.

Cause no harm.

Connect you to resources to assist you.

Help you navigate resources and what to do.

Prioritize your safety.

Give you choices.

The hotline can connect you to assistance you may need.

If you believe someone is exploiting you, by use of force, fraud or coercion, you can learn more or get connected to help by calling the hotline. The hotline is not the police or any other type of law enforcement. Hotline advocates provide guidance and connect you to services such as:

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Long-term survivorship opportunities and resources, including workforce development, higher education, substance misuse treatment, emergency housing, transitional housing, food assistance, and survivor-led advocacy.

CASE MANAGEMENT

Coordinated case management provided through an approach that values self-determination and empowerment, to meet the needs of survivors with individualized attention and respect. Includes referrals to coordinated, human trafficking-specific case management and referrals to civil legal services for domestic (U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents), foreign national adults and minors.

LEGAL SERVICES

Legal remedies for domestic (U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents), foreign national adults and minors and their families. Includes pursuing authorization to stay in the U.S. legally due to a trafficking experience.

REPORTING TIPS

If a survivor is ready to report their lived experience to law enforcement, the hotline is a connection to trusted and trained law enforcement partners. Having been trained, these partners understand the nuances and complexities of the issue, and treat survivors with the care and dignity they deserve.

My trafficker promised he would save me and provide a happy, stable life including a college education, marriage and a family. But something in me knew it was too good to be true. That “something” was a deep knowing that no one was going to save me but me. I had to take the first step and ask for help. Listen to your gut, you are worthy of a better life.

-Jill

CALL OR TEXT
COLORADO’S HUMAN
TRAFFICKING HOTLINE:

CALL 866-455-5075
Available 24/7
CALL NOW

TEXT 720-999-9724
Available between noon and midnight MT
TEXT NOW

It’s not easy to reach out for help, but you are never alone. We all have the right to experience love, freedom, and support.

As a survivor of both sex and labor trafficking, I know that reaching out for help is very hard. There are amazing people and organizations here in Colorado that want to help you move into a place of not just surviving, but thriving. Strength is found in the courage to leave a bad situation and taking baby steps into your future. I believe in you!

-Jessa Dillow Crisp

CALL OR TEXT
COLORADO’S HUMAN
TRAFFICKING HOTLINE:

CALL 866-455-5075
Available 24/7
CALL NOW

TEXT 720-999-9724
Available between noon and midnight MT
TEXT NOW