Understanding the Organization, Operation, and Victimization Process of Labor Trafficking in the United States

• NCJ Number: 248461
• Date Published: October 2014
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

This study examines the organization, operation, and victimization process of labor trafficking across multiple industries in the United States; and examines victim abuse and exploitation along a continuum, from recruitment for work through their migration experiences (if any), employment victimization experiences, and efforts to seek help.

Abstract

This report explores patterns of labor trafficking in the U.S., and found that trafficking occurs in multiple industries, including agriculture, hospitality, construction, and restaurants. The report verified that labor trafficking usually goes unreported, and law enforcement often have difficulty distinguishing labor trafficking from other workplace exploitation. Policy and practice implications of this research for federal and local law enforcement and victims' service agencies are outlined.