Human Trafficking Prevention

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a crime that involves the exploitation of a person for the purpose of compelled sex or labor through the use of force, fraud or coercion.

Labor trafficking is the crime of using force, fraud or coercion to induce another individual to work or provide service.

Sex trafficking is the crime of using force, fraud or coercion to induce another individual to sell sex. Any person under the age of 18 who is engaged in commercial sex acts, regardless of the use of force, fraud, or coercion, is defined as a victim of human trafficking.

Understanding Human Trafficking

You can learn more about the typologies of labor and sex trafficking by reading the following reports:

• The Typology of Modern Slavery - Polaris (polarisproject.org)
• Trafficking in Persons Report 2023 (state.gov)
• Fact Sheets for 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report - United States Department of State
• Recognize Human Trafficking: Learn the potential red flags and Indicators of Human Trafficking.
• Learn the common Myths and Facts surrounding the issue.
• Build your capacity with free online trainings and resources. 
  • Human Trafficking 101 - Polaris (polarisproject.org)
  • SOAR Online| NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (hhs.gov)
  • Training | Human Trafficking | Office for Victims of Crime (ojp.gov)

For more information and resources, explore the following organizations:

Polaris 

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center 

Shared Hope International

Freedom Network

End Sexual Exploitation

UMD SafeCenter

Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force

Trans Maryland

Training Materials

These trainings are free, self-paced and available online. 

Office of Victims of Crime Training Materials

Human Trafficking 101 - UM School of Social Work

Framework: Trafficking Outreach Fundamentals

Polaris Human Trafficking 101 Training

There are several ways you can get involved: 

• Continue learning how sex and labor trafficking really happen. Visit the What is Human Trafficking tab above to access resources and information from reputable anti-trafficking organizations. 
• Volunteer with or donate funds and/or useful new goods to reputable local anti-trafficking direct service organizations, such as TurnAround or Araminta Freedom Initiative. ​More information can be found under the Volunteer Opportunities tab below.
• Organize an informational presentation on human trafficking. Request OHTP to speak to your community group(s) on trafficking at no cost in-person or virtually. Past presentations have been provided to local faith-based, school-based groups and civic groups. ​
• Be a conscientious consumer. Share with others about how human trafficking exists in the services and products they consume. Goal is to reduce purchasing of goods and services provided through trafficked labor and make it less socially acceptable to do so. Learn how to purchase products free of exploitation and download the US Department of Labor's Sweat and Toil App​ to browse goods produced with child labor or forced labor.
• Follow reputable organizations on social media, re-sharing their messages, graphics and reports appropriately.​
• Speak up personally against harmful stereotypes about sex work and trafficking. ​
• Talk to local business owners and managers you have a relationship with about trafficking, connect them to OHTP.  Ask them to become an allied business by posting informational flyers, implementing basic awareness training on human trafficking for their staff and engaging with us on other socially-conscious initiatives.  ​
• Connect OHTP to free or low-cost advertising spaces, media opportunities, leads for affordable housing rental units, food or space donations for future outreach events.​
• Post informational flyers on trafficking in public and private spaces (i.e. bulletin boards, bathrooms, other ideal locations for posting phone numbers for help) that you have access too professionally and personally. Materials are available to download under the Awareness Materials tab. OHTP can also provide flyers for you and create additional flyers in response to specific requests. ​
• Come to the Human Trafficking Prevention Coordination Council meetings. All Full HTPCC and small committee meetings are open to the public and we welcome new participants to broaden our network and contribute to our work.

Looking for ways to volunteer? While we do not currently have any volunteer opportunities available, some of our partners do! Click on the links below to learn more about service providers in our community seeking volunteers. 

If you fear you or someone you know are in immediate danger contact 911. 

To Report a Suspicion of Trafficking or Other Abuse or Neglect

Howard County Police Non-Emergency: (410) 313- 2929 (all ages) 

hcpdcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov ​

Howard County DSS Child Protective Services: 410-872-4203 (minors)​

For a Suspected Trafficking Victim Who Needs Immediate Help

TurnAround​

• Weekday/Daytime: (410) 837 - 7000​
• 24/7 Help line: (443) 279 – 0379 
• 24/7 Text line: (410) 498 - 5956​

National Human Trafficking Hotline ​

• 24/7 Call: (888) 373- 7888 ​
• 24/7 Text: 233733

Not sure? Contact our office for guidance and more information.

New Partnership Announcement

The Howard County Office of Human Trafficking Prevention is pleased to announce our new partnership with TurnAround to provide comprehensive services to all victims of human trafficking in Howard County with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime and the Maryland Office for Crime and Youth Prevention Services.

TurnAround is a leading non-profit organization that currently provides free wraparound services for survivors of human trafficking, sexual abuse and intimate partner violence in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. This funding has allowed TurnAround to expand available services to victims of human trafficking in Howard County, dedicating multiple full-time staff to provide high quality, trauma informed, and victim centered services including emergency shelter, trauma therapy, case management, advocacy and more. 

TurnAround is available from the Howard County MultiService Center located at 9900 Washington Blvd N, Laurel, MD 20723 as well as its other office locations in Towson and Baltimore City.  For immediate assistance for you or someone you know, call TurnAround's 24/7 hotline, 443-279-0379 or text TurnAround's 24/7 textline, 410-498-5956. 

If you have general questions call TurnAround's general line at 410-837-7000. More information about TurnAround can be found on their website: https://www.turnaroundinc.org/.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Documentary Screening: Trafficked in America, January 25, 2022:

Howard County's Office of Human Trafficking Prevention hosts a virtual screening and panel discussion of PBS Frontline’s Trafficked in America, to commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Watch the recorded discussion now.

Human Trafficking Service Leaders showed support for the victims in the Charles Nabit case, September 27, 2021: 

Howard County OHTP Joins Statewide Anti-Trafficking Leaders in Supporting Survivors at Charles Nabit federal sentencing on September 27, 2021. Watch full video now. 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Virtual Town Hall, April 30, 2021:

A panel of law enforcement, anti-Human Trafficking, and children's advocates discuss the ways to prevent and raise awareness against sexual assault in Howard County. Watch the recorded event now. 

Human Trafficking Awareness Month Red Sand Project event, January 30, 2021: 

Advocates and officials throughout Howard County's human trafficking prevention network take part in the annual international Red Sand Project. Watch full video now. 

Human Trafficking Awareness Month Red Sand Project event, January 27, 2020: 

Read about Human Trafficking Awareness Month event in the Baltimore Sun

Read about the Human Trafficking Red Sand Ceremony in the Baltimore Sun

Grant Funding to Fight Human Trafficking, October 7, 2020:

Press Conference to announce Grant Award from the US Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crimes

Read about the grant award in the Baltimore Sun

Read about the grant award in the Baltimore Watchdog

Who to Call Awareness Flier - This flier is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese. To access the file in each language, click the language listed above.