About Human Trafficking

Human trafficking can happen anywhere! Although we often hear of human trafficking as being a problem outside of the United States, it can and does happen across communities in our own country. In big cities, small towns, and everywhere in between, individuals are at risk for exploitation. Contact us today to learn more about efforts to combat human trafficking in your local Colorado community.

Traffickers might use the following methods to lure victims into trafficking situations: Violence Manipulation False promises of well-paying jobs Romantic relationships Shame, language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime. 

Traffickers look for people who are easy targets for a variety of reasons, including:

• Psychological or emotional vulnerability
• Economic hardship
• Lack of a social safety net

The trauma caused by the traffickers can be so great that many may not identify themselves as victims or ask for help, even in highly public settings.

Just as there is no one type of trafficking victim, perpetrators of this crime also vary and can be from any background, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, race, religion, ethnicity, or education level. Traffickers can be family members, partners, acquaintances, and strangers. They can act alone or as part of an organized criminal enterprise. More often than not, the trafficker is known to the person or individual being victimized. 

Adapted from https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/what-is-human-trafficking

The words victim and survivor are often used interchangeably but there are some differences. In the criminal justice system, individuals who have experienced crimes committed against them are referred to as victims. Crime victims are ensured certain rights under the Colorado Victim Rights Act (VRA). To learn more about the Colorado VRA, visit the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice website. In community-based settings using the term survivors is common as it is more empowering. However, not every individual who has experienced a trafficking situation chooses to identify with being labeled as a victim or a survivor. If you are unsure of how a crime victim identifies, respectfully ask. 

Attend a human trafficking training provided by DATA

Request a Training

Visit the following links to learn more:

DATA’s Annual Letter 
Colorado Human Trafficking Council Annual Report
Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking – Colorado Project Report
Office for Victims of Crime
Polaris Project

• Local and federal law enforcement providers investigate human trafficking cases in Denver. Local, state, and federal law enforcement frequently collaborate in the investigation of human trafficking cases.
• Denver is fortunate to have local law enforcement providers that have prioritized human trafficking and created human trafficking units. While some investigations are in response to tips, our law enforcement partners recognize the importance of engaging proactive investigations as well.
• The Denver District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are responsible for the prosecution of human trafficking in Denver
• Victim-Centered Investigations and Prosecutions: Human trafficking investigators and prosecutors in Denver follow best practices and engage in victim-centered operations prioritizing victim needs and desires first. If the victim does not wish to be involved in the criminal justice process, there are other ways to investigate and prosecute offenders that do not rely on victim involvement.

• A comprehensive array of services are available for human trafficking victims through both community-based and systems-based providers in the Denver Metro Area.
• System-based victim advocates are available within the Denver Police Department and the Denver District Attorney’s Office to provide support and help communicate with victims throughout investigations and prosecutions process. Community-based victim advocates and case managers are available at non-profit and non-governmental organizations in the Denver Metro Area to provide short-term and long-term support and resources.
• Referrals and collaboration between victim service providers on behalf of victims is important to provide the best possible support and wraparound services. Best practices for victim assistance involve providing services that are victim-centered and trauma-informed with great consideration to ensuring services are culturally and linguistically appropriate