WEBVTT

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Simply put, human trafficking
is modern day slavery.

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Every year, men,
women, and children

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are exploited in every
part of the world,

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including here in
the United States.

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Human trafficking
happens everywhere

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across our communities
in cities, suburbs,

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and rural areas.

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It's a highly profitable
crime, and a violation

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of basic human rights.

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Human trafficking occurs
when an individual

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is exploited through
force, fraud,

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or coercion for forced
labor, domestic servitude,

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or commercial sex.

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Importantly, under
US law, any minor

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under the age of 18 who has
engaged in commercial sex

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is a victim of
human trafficking,

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regardless of whether force,
fraud, or coercion is involved.

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When we talk about
human trafficking,

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we're talking about a specific
crime against a person.

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Don't confuse human trafficking
with human smuggling.

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They're different crimes.

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While human trafficking is
the illegal exploitation

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of a person, human smuggling
is the illegal movement

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of a person across a border,
whether by land, air, or sea.

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Anyone can be a victim
of human trafficking.

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Victims can be any age,
race, ethnicity, gender, sex,

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or nationality,
and they can come

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from any socioeconomic
background.

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In the same way, traffickers
can be any age, race, ethnicity,

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gender, sex, or
nationality, and come

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from any socioeconomic
background.

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Some traffickers operate
as part of a larger

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criminal organization, such as
a gang or cartel, while others

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operate individually.

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Traffickers may also be
related to the victim,

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such as a parent or guardian.

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Human trafficking is in our
communities, often hidden

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from view because the
indicators are unknown.

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It is extremely rare for victims
to self-report, to seek help,

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or to attempt
escape due to fear.

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Threats from their
traffickers keep many victims

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from speaking out
or seeking help.

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First responders like
you play a crucial role

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in identifying victims
of human trafficking

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and helping them get
the help they need.

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Because you are able to
enter homes and treat victims

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in emergency situations,
you have the opportunity

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to interact with victims to an
extent which traffickers would

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otherwise generally not allow.

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Therefore, you are
uniquely positioned

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to identify indicators
of human trafficking

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and respond appropriately.

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Through the Blue Campaign, the
Department of Homeland Security

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is working to combat
human trafficking

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by raising awareness of
these criminal activities.

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First responders like
you are vital partners

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in the Blue Campaign's fight
against human trafficking.

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Whether you are a firefighter,
emergency medical technician--

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EMT-- or paramedic, emergency
dispatcher, or law enforcement

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officer, you are vital to
the health and security

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of people in this nation.

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You can also play a
vital role in eliminating

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human trafficking.

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Continue on to the
next lesson to learn

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about the most common
indicators of human trafficking.