Human trafficking is a violation of human rights. It is a problem that is not only seen abroad, but in parts of our own communities—often where we least expect it.
In 2020, Polaris Project’s U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline reported over 16,650 identified survivors of human trafficking in the United States1. Despite the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, traffickers adapted their ways to find their victims. Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2020 saw a significant increase of cases involving recruitment of victims online by 22% from the previous year.2
IANGEL believes that raising awareness of the issue of human trafficking must go beyond January – National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Educating, advocating and sharing resources to help combat the problem are year-round needs. Below is a list of local, national and international resources related to assisting survivors of human trafficking.
If you, or someone you know, need help, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text 23373.
Page is updated as of September 2022.
IANGEL hosted a webinar series along with Justice At Last, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, and Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting & Serving Sexually Exploited Youth (MISSSEY) covering human trafficking laws to teach pro bono lawyers how they can support minor trafficking survivors. The two-day webinar included a discussion of records clearance and crime victims’ rights from a survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach. Watch both days of our “Legal Support for Minor Survivors of Human Trafficking” Webinar here: iangel.org/ht-webinar
Below is a list of some survivor support networks and organizations dedicated to fighting issues of human trafficking:
San Francisco Human Trafficking Hotline (SFHTH)
T: (415) 907-9911
Operated by NCJW San Francisco in collaboration with the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (SFCAHT). The San Francisco Human Trafficking Hotline (SFHTH) confidentially and safely connects survivors of human trafficking and their support networks with resources and protections. Through its services and collaboration with the local and national stakeholders, the hotline empowers survivors to regain control, navigate their options, and determine their next steps.
Alameda County Human Exploitation and Trafficking (H.E.A.T.) Watch Tip Line
T: (510) 208-4959
The mission of the HEAT Watch program is to build and increase the capacity of all first responders, professionals who interface with victims and those at-risk, and communities where trafficking occurs, to effectively respond to and combat HEAT in their jurisdictions. HEAT Watch provides its partners with effective and proven strategies to improve local, regional, and national capacity to identify, intervene in, investigate, and prosecute HEAT cases while supporting and protecting those who are victims or are at-risk for victimization.
Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition (BAATC)
T: (510) 269-9030
BAATC disrupts the business of human trafficking to deter future exploitation. They equip frontline industries to intervene for victims where they are forced to work, move, and sleep.
Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR) ABOVE Program
24-hour Crisis Line: (510) 845-7273
Main office: (510) 430-1298
BAWAR’s ABOVE program provides 24-hour crisis stabilization to all survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. Through community education, it works to humanize and de-stigmatize the voices and experiences of survivors.
T: (510) 473-7283
Info@californiaagainstslavery.org
California Against Slavery is a connected and collaborating California anti-trafficking community committed to preventing human trafficking, protecting victims and providing resources to survivors.
T: (650) 918-0719
Justice At Last provides free legal representation to trafficking survivors with a client-centered, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach.
Motivating, Inspiring, Supporting and Serving Sexually Exploited Youth (MISSSEY)
T: (510) 251-2070
MISSSEY exists to provide services to commercially sexually exploited (CSE) victims and work for systemic change on behalf of the youth it serves.
Ruby’s Place & Nancy’s House
T: (510) 581-5626
Ruby’s Place is an innovative nonprofit committed to ending domestic violence, human trafficking, and violent crime through hope, advocacy, and connection. Nancy’s House is the newest Ruby’s Place youth residential supportive services home.
T: (415) 553-1984
SF SAFE engages, educates, and empowers San Franciscans to build safer neighborhoods through crime prevention, education, and public safety services that result in stronger, more vibrant and resilient communities.
Survivors Healing, Advising and Dedicated to Empowerment (S.H.A.D.E.)
S.H.A.D.E. aims to empower survivors of sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and domestic violence. Survivor Leadership is paramount to creating positive change and empowerment within and outside the movement.
Wisdom International: Help2Others
T: (415) 819-0417
info@wisdominternational.org
Wisdom International aims to prevent human trafficking through prevention training and education in the San Francisco Bay Area.
T: (916) 365-2606
3Strands Global Foundation aims to educate hundreds of thousands of students on how to stay safe from human trafficking.
Girl’s Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS)
T: (917) 837-0357
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) serves girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): Human Trafficking Hotline – Referral Directory
Interactive map of anti-trafficking organizations and programs that offer emergency, transitional, or long-term services to victims and survivors of human trafficking in the United States.
Office for the Victims of Crime – Directory of Support Services
Directory of support services for survivors of trafficking provided by the Office for the Victims of Crime.
Polaris – U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline
T: 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711) or Text 23373
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. The Trafficking Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the appropriate authorities in certain cases.
The toll-free phone and SMS text lines and live online chat function are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help is available in English or Spanish, or in more than 200 additional languages through an on-call interpreter.
A global map allowing users to search for resources per issue and geographic location.
Not For Sale is a global anti-trafficking organization providing long-term housing, extensive medical care, counseling services, education and more.
UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
For general information on global human trafficking issues.
1 2 Source: https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Human-Trafficking-Trends-in-2020-by-Polaris.pdf