Human trafficking is a widespread crime that exploits individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for labor or commercial sex. Identifying information that exploits individuals is gathered to produce actionable leads for local law enforcement efforts.

Spotting the Signs

According to Jim Ciampaglio, Senior Vice President Sales, Securus, and Don Burk, Vice President, Public Sector Solutions, Securus, being informed and vigilant is crucial in helping law enforcement and intelligence agencies combat human trafficking. They explain that warning signs fall into three main categories: physical, behavioral, and situational.

  • Physical Indicators: Victims may show signs of physical abuse, malnourishment, or poor health, such as unexplained bruises, broken bones, burns, or scars.
  • Behavioral Indicators: Trafficking victims often avoid eye contact, provide rehearsed responses, and lack control over their personal belongings and documentation.
  • Situational Indicators: Isolation from loved ones, restricted movement, and poor living conditions can also be red flags.

“Human trafficking affects communities across the country,” says Ciampaglio. “By working together with law enforcement and local organizations, we can help identify victims, take action, and ultimately prevent exploitation.”

Activating Preventative Partnerships

To support efforts to prevent the scourge of human trafficking, Securus Technologies is partnering with In Our Backyard, a leading nonprofit dedicated to combating sex and labor trafficking. Together, they aim to raise awareness, empower communities to identify warning signs, and help bring traffickers to justice.

The organizations have joined to create a series, Defying Destiny™, a Securus Originals™ Series, that features interviews and survivor stories to celebrate resilience, educate, and protect future victims of human trafficking.

The series highlights experts in the field, including law enforcement officials, survivors of human trafficking, and advocates for victims. Defying Destiny™ covers a wide range of topics, including how technology in correctional facilities helps to identify and eliminate human trafficking, the different forms of human trafficking, the long-term impact of human trafficking on survivors, and how people can work with law enforcement to break the chain of recruitment.

“Securus is collaborating with IN OUR BACKYARD to provide unique information to help identify potential trafficking victims in real time, so law enforcement can follow leads and pursue recoveries more quickly,” said Burk. “The monitoring services that Securus provides to local law enforcement plays an important role in helping to prevent the spread and coordination of human trafficking.”

The series is available for free to incarcerated individuals with access to a Securus tablet and is streaming on a variety of platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

How to Report Suspected Human Trafficking

Experts emphasize that individuals can take meaningful steps to protect themselves, their families, and their communities by learning to recognize key indicators and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.

If anyone suspects someone may be a victim of human trafficking, it is crucial to act quickly:

  • Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text “BEFREE” (233733) for confidential support and resources.
  • In an emergency, call 911 for immediate assistance.
  • Additional support: Contact the Victim Connect Resource Center at 855-4-VICTIM or through online chat.

For more information about Securus and its innovative solutions, visit https://www.aventiv.com/securus-technologies/.