Human Trafficking in Nebraska

*Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide with 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally.

• 81% of them are trapped in forced labor.
• 25% of them are children.
• 75% are women and girls.

Sex Trafficking is the harboring, transportation, provision, soliciting, or obtaining a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion.

 Labor Trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining a person for the purpose of labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Labor trafficking includes situations of debt bondage, forced labor, and involuntary child labor.

Human trafficking does not discriminate. Trafficking is real and it does not just affect those living in poverty but it also affects those who live in middle to upper-class neighborhoods.

Rejuvenating Women often trains the community based on our experiences working directly with human trafficking survivors.  Sometimes, it is difficult for the public to grasp the multitude of issues human trafficking survivors can present with when they come into the Restored Wings Recovery Program.

Rejuvenating Women is on the front lines providing services that will assist her in her recovery process. We have seen the first-hand effects of both labor and sex trafficking and are passionately in it to end this horrific crime against humanity.

Signs of Human Trafficking

Psychosocial Signs of Trafficking:

• A fabricated story which almost seems memorized
• The dominating presence of a boy/girlfriend, parent, or friend Talks about an older boy/girlfriend often
• Sudden anger outbursts, cursing at other students and teachers
• Extremely manipulative to get what they want/need
• Getting sick often, stomach aches/vomiting, GI issues, headaches, jitters
• Misses school, skips class or is pulled out of class often
• Makes an attempt to come to school early and/or stay late
• Begins isolating from friends, keeps to themselves Starts lying about things that don’t seem to make sense (things that most people wouldn’t lie about)
• May contemplate or talk about suicide
• Makes comments about being hopeless
• Has expensive items when previously did not (new phone, new clothes, etc.)
• Grades drop/homework is usually not completed
• Very little motivation to succeed in academics
• Seems distracted, can’t focus, spaces out in class
• Uses language others may not be familiar with – especially when talking about “the game/the life”
• Attention seeking behavior and being over-dramatic
• Trying to minimize presence as much as possible
• Sexual references
• Has multiple cell phones
• Has hotel keycards
• No self-esteem puts self down
• Displays of emotional distress (depression, anxiety)
• Resists help out of fear, may fear authority figures, especially the police, security, and the school counselor
• Constant fight or flight mode/signs of odd behavior
• Unexplained bruises, scars, limp/tries to cover up injuries or lies about how they got injuries
• Tattoos or “burn/cut scars” in discreet places, especially with a strange symbol, someone’s name/initials
• Evidence of sexual and physical trauma
• Signs of malnourishment
• Signs of sleep deprivation
• Evidence of drug intoxication/use
• Signs of self-inflicted injuries

Physical Signs of Trafficking:

• Tattoos or “burn/cut scars” with a strange symbol, someone’s name/initials
• Evidence of sexual and physical trauma
• Signs of malnourishment
• Signs of sleep deprivation
• Evidence of drug intoxication/use
• Signs of self-inflicted injuries

If you or someone you know is being trafficked, there is help. Throughout the United States, there are safe homes, safe places and recovery homes like Rejuvenating Women. You can call or text the National Trafficking Hotline Number.

You can also report human trafficking → 1-888-373-7888 help@humantraffickinghotline.org.

Help us end human trafficking in Omaha, Nebraska and Nationwide!