Human Trafficking has over 25 different business models or typologies, so there’s a lot to understand.

While victims come from every sex, race, ethnicity, and age, they have one thing in common: vulnerability. Complicating matters, victims of trafficking may not realize they’re being exploited, and aren’t likely to identify themselves specifically as a victim of Human Trafficking.

POLARIS

Typology of Modern Slavery Defining Sex and Labor Trafficking in the United States. March, 2017

Escort Services

Commercial sex acts that primarily occur at temporary indoor locations. Includes hotel-based operations, internet ads, and out-calls to buyers.

Illicit Massage, Health, & Beauty

Primary business of sex or labor trafficking is concealed under the facade of legitimate spa services.

Outdoor Solicitation

Potential victims are forced to find commercial sex buyers in outdoor locations such as on “tracks”/ “strolls,” or at truck stops.

Residential

In-call commercial sex occurring at a non-commercial residential location.

Domestic Work

An industry where an individual works for one specific household/family providing personal household tasks, cleaning, child care, or adult caretaking, often living on-site with the family.

Bars, Strip Clubs, & Cantinas

This category comprises establishments that front as legitimate bars and clubs, selling alcohol while exploiting victims for sex and labor behind the scenes.

Pornography

Pre-recorded sexually explicit videos & images, including child pornography. This can include informally distributed pornographic material, or commercial sex through a formal pornography company. *Note: This type should not be confused with interactive webcam shows.

Traveling Sales Crews

Potential victims travel in groups to various cities / states selling items such as magazines door-to-door.

Restaurants & Food Service

Potential victims are exploited for their labor as servers, bussers, dishwashers, cooks, etc.

Peddling & Begging

Potential victims are expected to beg for “donations” or sell small items such as candy, at a stationary, often outdoor location.

Agriculture & Animal Husbandry

A farming business in which potential victims are exploited for their labor in growing/maintaining crops, cultivating soil, or rearing animals.

Personal Sexual Servitude

A potential victim is forced to provide sex acts to one/specific person(s) (oftentimes in a chronic and ongoing situation) in exchange for something of value. The controller and the “buyer” are usually the same person.

Health & Beauty Services

Potential victims are exploited for their labor in businesses such as nail salons, hair salons, acupuncture businesses, etc.

Construction

Potential victims are exploited for their labor in carpentry, masonry, painting, roofing, etc.

Hotels & Hospitality

Potential victims are exploited for their labor as hotel housekeepers, front dest attendants, bell staff, etc.

Landscaping

Potential victims are exploited for their labor in gardening, maintaining public or private grounds, or within nurseries.

Illicit Activities

Potential victims is forced to provide labor or services to contribute to an illegal / illicit business operation such as drug selling, drug smuggling, drug production financial scams, gang activity, etc. Potential victims are also often forced into commercial sex acts in addition to this labor.

Arts, Sports, & Entertainment

Potential victims are exploited for their labor in amateur, scholastic, or professional athletics, modeling, or performing arts (including adults in exotic dancing).

Commercial Cleaning Services

Potential victims are exploited for their labor in janitorial / cleaning services performed in private households, office buildings, and other commercial / public properties.

Factories & Manufacturing

Potential victims are exploited for their labor in food processing clothing / shoe manufacturing, factories producing electronic devices vehicles, and more.

Remote Interactive Sexual Acts

Live-streamed, interactive, simulated sex acts / shows. *Note: This type should not be confused with pre- recorded sexually explicit videos & images.

Carnivals

Potential victims are exploited for their labor in operating rides, games, and food stands.

Forestry & Logging

Potential victims are exploited for their labor as tree farm workers, reforestation planters, loggers and workers maintaining woodland areas.

Health Care

Potential victims are primarily exploited for their labor in residential nursing homes, occupational health facilities, or as home health aides.

Recreational Facilities

Potential victims are exploited for their labor in amusement / theme parks, summer camps, golf courses, and community swimming pools.

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