In a recent news release, the Philadelphia office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation detailed efforts to raise awareness about the crime of human trafficking.

Human trafficking is the illegal exploitation of a person, according to authorities.

As part of efforts to combat human trafficking, the FBI investigates:

•Sex trafficking: When individuals are compelled by force, fraud or coercion to engage in commercial sex acts.

Sex trafficking of a minor occurs when the individual is younger than 18. For cases involving minors, it is not necessary to prove force, fraud or coercion.

•Labor trafficking: When individuals are compelled by force, threats or fraud to perform labor or service.

•Domestic servitude: When individuals within a household appear to be nannies, housekeepers or other types of domestic workers, but they are being controlled and exploited.

Traffickers use violence, manipulation, false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to exploit victims, according to authorities.

Human trafficking is not limited to one particular geographic area and can occur in any community, city or suburb as well as rural areas.

Human trafficking is investigated through a collaborative, multiagency approach including the FBI, local, state and federal agencies.

Recovery of those trafficked is the primary goal of trafficking investigations.

The FBI’s multidisciplinary team of special agents, analysts, victim specialists and forensic interviewers specializing in helping children and adolescents work together.

FBI victim specialists work with local state and federal resources to provide immediate assistance and long-term support.

Field offices seek to arrest and prosecute traffickers once individuals who are trafficked are removed from the situation in which they are trapped.

Those who are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential trafficking situation can call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

The NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Tips also may be sent through the NHTRC website.

Tips about children may be made through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST.

FBI personnel review information provided to the CyberTipline.

FBI Philadelphia can be reached at 215-418-4000.

For additional resources, please visit the Human Trafficking webpage: https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/human-trafficking or Victim Services Division: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services.