If you are victim/survivor of human trafficking or know someone who may be a victim/survivor, it is important for you to know that there are alternatives and people to help you.

If you are in danger or need an immediate response, please call 911. You can also call our Office’s Human Trafficking Helpline at 212-335-3400, where you can leave a message for the Human Trafficking Unit about your concern. The Helpline is checked on each business day and we aim to respond to all calls within one week.

Other Resources

NYC’s 24-Hour Hope Hotline

1-800-621-4673

https://www.nyc.gov/content/nychope/pages/ 

A 24 hour hotline that ensures survivors of all crimes feel empowered to reach out for help and combines the efforts of the city’s previously separate domestic violence, sexual violence and crime hotlines. 

Covenant House

212-613-0300
www.covenanthouse.org
Services Provided: Crisis Counseling, Emergency Housing (boys and girls ages 18-20, and ages 16-18 if ACS is contacted)

The Empower Center/NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur

212-238-4906

https://theempowercenter.org/

Garden of Hope

877-990-8595

https://gohny.org/

Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS)

917-514-3113

https://www.gems-girls.org/

Lifeway Network

718-779-8075

https://lifewaynetwork.org/

Mentari Human Trafficking Survivors Empowerment Program Inc.

347-656-3633

https://www.mentariusa.org/

Not on My Watch Inc

Call: 347-275-3400

Text: 347-728-9680

https://www.nomwi.org/

Womankind

212-732-0054

24/7 Hotline 1-888-888-7702  

https://www.iamwomankind.org/

Restore NYC

212-840-8484

https://restorenyc.org/

Safe Horizon Anti-Trafficking Program

718-943-8631

https://www.safehorizon.org/anti-trafficking-program/

Sanctuary for Families -Anti-Trafficking Initiative & Teen JET Initiative

 212-349-6009

https://sanctuaryforfamilies.org/

National Hotline:

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

Text: 233733

https://humantraffickinghotline.org

What is human trafficking?

State and federal definitions of human trafficking include two types of trafficking: sex and labor. Sex and labor trafficking include forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of servitude. Trafficked individuals are often physically abused, psychologically coerced, and fearful of reporting their abuse to authorities.

Where does human trafficking occur?

Both sex and labor trafficking occur in our own city and can occur in any neighborhood. Trafficked individuals may live and work among us as domestic servants, restaurant workers, and/or workers in the commercial sex industry (including in massage parlors, strip clubs, escort services, or prostitution).

Who can be victims of human trafficking?

Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking, regardless of citizenship. Trafficked individuals may be of any age and identify with any gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. In New York City we have seen higher instances of people of color, undocumented immigrants, and runaway youth being trafficked.

How do traffickers maintain control of their victims?

Traffickers often recruit by making false promises, preying on basic survival needs, and/or utilizing various forms of abuse. Once involved, the trafficker employs a variety of tactics to prevent the trafficked individual from leaving.

Common ways traffickers maintain control include:

• Debt bondage or withholding of pay
• Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse
• Isolation from friends and family
• Supplying drugs to make the victim more compliant
• Threats to report victim to immigration authorities
• Withholding identification and immigration documents

How can the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office help?

Our office thoroughly investigates reports of human trafficking and prosecutes offenders. We also provide information and answer questions regarding the criminal justice process, and assist survivors and witnesses with safety planning, advocacy, counseling, and social service referrals, regardless of whether charges are ultimately filed against a reported offender.