Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a crime that occurs in every corner of the world, and North Carolina is no exception. It impacts thousands of vulnerable individuals, including men, women, and children. Human Trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry, second only to drug trafficking. While many associate human trafficking with far-off countries, it is an issue that impacts every community, even Onslow County.

What Is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will.

Human Trafficking can happen in any community and victims can be any race, range in age, and be any gender. Traffickers often use violence, manipulation, and false promises of jobs, money, or a romantic relationship on victims.

Types of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking can take various forms, and understanding the differences between them is crucial in identifying and addressing the issue:

• Sex Trafficking: Victims are forced or coerced into engaging in sexual acts for money, services, or goods. They are often manipulated or exploited by traffickers who use threats, violence, or deception to control them. This form of trafficking commonly involves women and children, although men can also be victims.
• Labor Trafficking: Victims are exploited for work in conditions that violate basic human rights. This can include forced labor in industries such as agriculture, construction, or manufacturing. Traffickers may use threats, violence, or deceit to force individuals into performing grueling or unsafe work for little or no pay.
• Domestic Servitude: Victims are forced to work as domestic servants in private households. They may be deprived of basic needs, isolated, and subjected to physical or emotional abuse. These victims often work long hours without pay and have no means of escaping or seeking help.

The Impact of Human Trafficking

The consequences of human trafficking are far-reaching and devastating. Victims of trafficking experience long-term physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. They may suffer from physical injuries, mental health disorders, and emotional scars. 

It is estimated more than 40 million people worldwide are trapped in modern day slavery. North Carolina consistently ranks in the top 10 states of reported cases of human trafficking. Agencies funded by the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement reported serving 767 human trafficking survivors between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Between 2023 and 2024 the One Place Child Advocacy Center saw a 36% increase in human trafficking victims.

Report It

If you believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking, call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to 233733

Call 911 or local law enforcement if you are in immediate danger

Report suspected child sex trafficking, sextortion, online enticement, and sexual abuse material to the Nation Center for Missing and Exploited Children: call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or go to CyberTipline.org

Our Impact

At the One Place Child Advocacy Center we support child victims of human trafficking and are committed to spreading awareness and joining the fight to help end human trafficking.

We are working to educate the community and stakeholders on human trafficking and how it directly impacts Onslow County and our community’s children. One Place recently received funding from the National Children’s Alliance to support efforts to develop, expand, and enhance  services to human trafficking victims at the One Place Child Advocacy Center. The role also involves collaboration with our Multidisciplinary Team partners to ensure the ongoing safety and protection of child victims of human trafficking.

Click for more information on the One Place Child Advocacy Center.