This resources was developed in collaboration with The City of Houston’s #WatchForTraffick campaign.
Natural disasters make it easier for people to take advantage of those who are suddenly vulnerable. After Hurricane Katrina, more than 3,750 workers were believed to have been trafficked. From the early stages of the disaster through the recovery and rebuilding, people may try to exploit survivors’ basic human needs, by posing as responders, offering jobs, or presenting opportunities that look good on the surface but can turn into something dark or even dangerous. Here are some things you might hear that should make you pause:
The phrase “quick cash” should always be a warning — these “opportunities” are often not what they seem – and may be dangerous or illegal. Be wary. Ask more questions. Try to verify through trusted sources. And if you’re hungry or need a safe place to stay, help may be help available. You can call 211, a helpline that will connect you with support. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also has a website here just to keep an eye on scams and rumors. Here’s a news article about a recent scam that has more practical advice.
Before an emergency strikes, develop a safety plan so you don’t have to figure out what to do in a moment of chaos. The plan should include phone numbers and pre-arranged meeting places for trusted friends and family in case you get separated.
There is no reason your employer needs to hold your documents, and this is a common approach traffickers use to control and exploit. If someone is pushy or demanding to hold your passport, visa, ID, or other documents, it’s a red flag. For help or support, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, The Landing in Houston at 713-766-1111, and for labor questions contact Fe y Justicia Worker Center (Faith and Justice Worker Center) at houstonworkers.org or call 713-862-8222.
People looking to take advantage show up in vulnerable moments, like after a disaster. They know that people may have lost their jobs or need resources to help recover. It’s sexual exploitation if someone demands sex in exchange for food, water, or a place to stay. If someone is under the age of 18, or is being made to engage in commercial sex acts, including posing for nude photos or videos, through force, fraud or coercion, they are a victim of human trafficking. If you need help: call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or you can also call The Landing for services 713-766-1111.
It’s a good idea to memorize the phone numbers of three or four trusted friends (and if you are under 18, trusted adults) you can call in case of an emergency, so that you can call them even if your phone is stolen or out of power. Need help now? You’re not alone: You can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, The Landing in Houston 713-766-1111, and for labor questions contact Fe y Justicia Worker Center (Faith and Justice Worker Center) at houstonworkers.org or call 713-862-8222.
Know your rights: All workers, regardless of their immigration status, have rights. You have the right to minimum wage, getting paid overtime after working 40 hours per week, receiving your final payment within six days from your last day of work, getting bathroom breaks, working in a safe and healthy environment, receiving payments for work injuries if your employer has Workers Compensation, and being free from discrimination or harassment. Need assistance? Contact Fe y Justicia Worker Center (Faith and Justice Worker Center) at houstonworkers.org or call 713-862-8222.
Sometimes, after providing food and shelter to help someone in need, exploiters demand that their “generosity” be returned by forcing the person they “helped” to work under illegal conditions, to pose for nude photos, or have sex with strangers. This is a classic approach of human traffickers. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 if you need help.
Offers from scams and traffickers often seem “too good to be true.” Don’t let an employer take control over your whole life. While some legitimate jobs may come with offers of housing, being required to live where you are told may also be a warning sign of trafficking. Be careful and ask questions. If you think you’re in an unsafe situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or call The Landing for services 713-766-1111.
Just because a job offer links to a flashy looking website doesn’t mean it’s for real. Some scammers even buy domain names and create websites as soon as storm names are announced! Look for jobs from trusted referrals and beware of job offers that sound too good to be true. If you’re being tricked into doing work or perform sex acts, this is human trafficking. Get help: call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or call The Landing for services 713-766-1111.
Traffickers know how to take advantage. If you’re an undocumented worker, they’ll threaten to go to authorities. If you’ve shared personal information, they’ll blackmail. If they’re desperate, they may threaten you or your loved ones with violence. If you’re being forced or coerced to work or perform sex acts, this is human trafficking. Get help: call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or in Houston, call The Landing for services 713-766-1111.
If you need help or suspect trafficking,
Call The National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733
24 Hour Confidential Helpline | Available in 200 languages
In Houston, You can also call The Landing for services at 713-766-1111
For labor questions contact the Fe y Justicia Worker Center (Faith and Justice Worker Center): houstonworkers.org or call 713-862-8222
