Q&A on Trafficking

The crime of human trafficking adversely affects us all.  It deprives people of their most basic human rights and freedoms, it poses a public health risk, and it is a major source of illicit revenue for organized crime.  It is a problem that can't be ignored by any of us in the world community.  To that end, we are proud to partner with other countries to free victims of trafficking wherever possible.

Q: Can we have more information on the U.S. estimates on the number of victims?

A: While we estimate approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year, it is impossible to know precisely how many victims there are because human trafficking is a clandestine practice.  The U.S. government estimates do not include millions of victims who are trafficked within their own countries rather than across borders.  Even one victim is one too many.

Q: Is the U.S. providing money to help fight TIP abroad?

A: We are proud to partner with other countries, international organizations, and NGOs to fight human trafficking.  In Fiscal Year 2007, the U.S. Government spent approximately $79 million to fund 180 projects in about 90 countries to support foreign government and NGO efforts to combat human trafficking.  Since Fiscal Year 2001, the USG has funded more than $528 million for anti-TIP projects outside the United States.  Moreover, U.S. Government efforts to promote the rule of law and economic reforms in many countries help reduce the conditions which facilitate trafficking.

Q: What is the U.S. Government doing to combat human trafficking within the United States?

A: The United States certainly is not immune from the crime of human trafficking; in fact, we estimate that between 14,500 and 17,500 victims are trafficked into the United States each year.  To fight modern-day slavery, 10 federal agencies are working on the U.S. anti-TIP campaign, and many local government agencies are involved.  We are pleased that, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, criminal prosecution of human traffickers has increased sharply in the United States, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has dramatically increased our public awareness efforts.  Despite a tremendous amount of positive action, there is more we must do to accelerate our anti-human trafficking efforts at home.  Since Fiscal Year 2004, the U.S. Government has spent over $96 million for domestic anti-trafficking programs.