FBI Philadelphia joins other law enforcement agencies in recognizing National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and continuing the dialogue on human trafficking and the forms it takes, efforts to combat human trafficking and resources available for victims.

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

Under the human trafficking program, 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 victim is under the age of 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 or part of the country. Human trafficking can occur in any community, to include cities, suburbs and rural areas.

The most effective way to investigate human trafficking is through a collaborative, multiple agency approach with partners.

FBI Philadelphia’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force works alongside partners at all levels to investigate traffickers and recover victims.

Victim recovery is the primary goal of trafficking investigations.

The FBI’s multidisciplinary team of special agents, analysts, victim specialists and child adolescent forensic interviewers work together to ensure a “victim-centered and trauma-informed response,” according to a recent news release.

FBI Victim Specialists work with local state and federal resources to provide immediate assistance and lasting support.

After recovering a victim of human trafficking, field offices seek to arrest and successfully prosecute the traffickers. FBI Philadelphia has specialists ready to help with resources.

If you are a human trafficking victim or have information about a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. 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. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.

If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST.

FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information provided to the CyberTipline.

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