Signals
The Human Trafficking Hotline has received 399,494 signals since its inception.
Cases
Since its inception, the Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 82,301 cases of human trafficking. 164,839 victims were identified in these cases.
National Statistics
The National Human Trafficking Hotline maintains one of the most extensive data sets on the issue of human trafficking in the United States. The statistics contained on this website are based on aggregated information learned through signals -- phone calls, texts, online chats, emails, and online tip reports -- received by the Trafficking Hotline. The data do not define the totality of human trafficking or of a trafficking network in any given area. The Trafficking Hotline uses this data to help human trafficking victims and survivors and to provide the anti-trafficking field with information to help combat all forms of human trafficking.
Read the Trafficking Hotline's 2021 Statistics.
In order to ensure a high quality of data, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reviews cases of potential trafficking and records the information included below. Due to delays in data cleanup, more recent statistics may not be available. This page contains the most recently available information. Data is dynamic and subject to change as the hotline continues to respond to victims of trafficking. Therefore, the data reported is likely to have minor fluctuations based on when the data for the report was retrieved. The current report is based on data retrieved on November 15, 2022, 5:00 PM.
Total National Statistics
The National Human Trafficking Hotline uses the word "case" to represent distinct situations of trafficking reported to the hotline. A case can involve one or more potential victims of trafficking and can be reported to the hotline through one or more conversations via call, text, email, online report, or webchat. The use of the word case is not an indication of law enforcement involvement in the situation.
Polaris has changed the way we present certain data to include contacts initiated by text and chat. As a result, data obtained before this change may not match what is currently available on this site.
View Stats by State
All Time Statistics (Since 2007)
Statistics by Year
2021
Signals Received in 2021
51,073
signals were received by the Hotline in 2021 from National.
13,277
signals received were from victims or survivors of human trafficking
How do contacts hear about the hotline?
It is helpful for us to learn how people hear about the Hotline so that we can strategically advertise to reach more victims and survivors. However, we are not always able to collect this information during every conversation.
Ways the Hotline was Found
Referral
525
Internet
369
Training/Conference
232
Print Media
23
DOS Know Your Rights Pamphlet
9
Social Media Site
9
Stickers
6
Street Outreach
3
Television
3
Other
46,758
How do contacts reach the hotline?
People can contact the Hotline by phone, text, online chat, online form, and email. Most people contact us by phone or text.
Signal Types
Hotline Call
32,709
SMS Report
11,256
Online Report
3,490
Email Received
2,802
Web Chat
816
Cases Identified in 2021
10,360
cases were identified in 2021.
16,710
victims were involved in these cases. Cases can involve multiple victims.
What types of trafficking cases were reported?
The Hotline receives tips about situations involving sex trafficking, labor trafficking, sex & labor trafficking, as well as situations where the type of trafficking may be unknown or not specified.
Types of Trafficking
Sex
7,499
Labor
1,066
Sex and Labor
400
Venues for Sex Trafficking
Pornography
807
Illicit Massage/Spa Business
596
Hotel/Motel-Based
579
Residence-Based Commercial Sex
525
Online Ad Venue Unknown
369
Street-Based
178
Escort/Delivery Service
134
Hostess/Strip Club-Based
47
Truck Stop-Based
43
Bar/Club
33
Legalized Brothel
3
Other
4,185
Venues for Labor Trafficking
Domestic Work
185
Agriculture/Farms
117
Construction
65
Restaurant/Food Service
60
Illicit Activity
59
Hospitality
36
Begging Ring
24
Factory
24
Traveling Sales Crew
22
Peddling Ring
21
Landscaping Service
20
Health Care
16
Housekeeping/Cleaning Service
16
Health & Beauty Services
14
Hostess/Strip Club
10
Professional/Scientific/Tech Services
10
Arts & Entertainment
9
Transportation
9
Traveling Carnival
7
Bar/Club
6
Forestry/Reforestation
5
Aquafarming/Fishing
3
Other
328
What was the primary request in each case?
People contact the hotline to report a tip, request a referral, or reach out for crisis-related services such as immediate shelter or crisis response.
Requests on Human Trafficking Cases
Report a Trafficking Tip
6,546
Access Service Referrals
3,284
Request Crisis Assistance
528
Case Demographics
The Hotline only collects demographic information for victims and survivors in a trafficking situation when appropriate. These numbers are not cumulative as one case could involve multiple victims and survivors.
Ages
Adults
6,642
Minors
2,365
Genders
Females
8,142
Males
1,292
Gender Minorities
132
Citizenships
Foreign Nationals
1,086
US Citizen LPR
655
Signals and cases by State in 2021
| State | Signals received | % of total signals | Cases identified | % of total cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 285 | 0.56% | 80 | 0.77% |
| Alaska | 81 | 0.16% | 16 | 0.15% |
| Arizona | 651 | 1.27% | 217 | 2.09% |
| Arkansas | 270 | 0.53% | 74 | 0.71% |
| California | 5257 | 10.29% | 1334 | 12.88% |
| Colorado | 602 | 1.18% | 150 | 1.45% |
| Connecticut | 170 | 0.33% | 54 | 0.52% |
| Delaware | 93 | 0.18% | 31 | 0.30% |
| District of Columbia | 175 | 0.34% | 44 | 0.42% |
| Florida | 2894 | 5.67% | 781 | 7.54% |
| Georgia | 1073 | 2.10% | 281 | 2.71% |
| Guam | 3 | 0.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Hawaii | 90 | 0.18% | 30 | 0.29% |
| Idaho | 109 | 0.21% | 33 | 0.32% |
| Illinois | 929 | 1.82% | 243 | 2.35% |
| Indiana | 467 | 0.91% | 123 | 1.19% |
| Iowa | 299 | 0.59% | 86 | 0.83% |
| Kansas | 274 | 0.54% | 85 | 0.82% |
| Kentucky | 353 | 0.69% | 115 | 1.11% |
| Louisiana | 375 | 0.73% | 126 | 1.22% |
| Maine | 175 | 0.34% | 31 | 0.30% |
| Maryland | 751 | 1.47% | 118 | 1.14% |
| Massachusetts | 339 | 0.66% | 93 | 0.90% |
| Michigan | 1186 | 2.32% | 295 | 2.85% |
| Minnesota | 335 | 0.66% | 98 | 0.95% |
| Mississippi | 543 | 1.06% | 233 | 2.25% |
| Missouri | 1103 | 2.16% | 240 | 2.32% |
| Montana | 133 | 0.26% | 24 | 0.23% |
| Nebraska | 240 | 0.47% | 57 | 0.55% |
| Nevada | 571 | 1.12% | 201 | 1.94% |
| New Hampshire | 68 | 0.13% | 24 | 0.23% |
| New Jersey | 567 | 1.11% | 151 | 1.46% |
| New Mexico | 364 | 0.71% | 59 | 0.57% |
| New York | 1662 | 3.25% | 404 | 3.90% |
| North Carolina | 922 | 1.81% | 223 | 2.15% |
| North Dakota | 100 | 0.20% | 19 | 0.18% |
| Northern Marianas Islands | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Ohio | 1161 | 2.27% | 291 | 2.81% |
| Oklahoma | 438 | 0.86% | 99 | 0.96% |
| Oregon | 485 | 0.95% | 160 | 1.54% |
| Pennsylvania | 1080 | 2.11% | 192 | 1.85% |
| Puerto Rico | 34 | 0.07% | 12 | 0.12% |
| Rhode Island | 38 | 0.07% | 16 | 0.15% |
| South Carolina | 488 | 0.96% | 124 | 1.20% |
| South Dakota | 100 | 0.20% | 29 | 0.28% |
| Tennessee | 525 | 1.03% | 152 | 1.47% |
| Texas | 3534 | 6.92% | 917 | 8.85% |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 4 | 0.01% | 3 | 0.03% |
| Utah | 319 | 0.62% | 78 | 0.75% |
| Vermont | 32 | 0.06% | 14 | 0.14% |
| Virginia | 583 | 1.14% | 140 | 1.35% |
| Washington | 955 | 1.87% | 233 | 2.25% |
| West Virginia | 112 | 0.22% | 39 | 0.38% |
| Wisconsin | 390 | 0.76% | 95 | 0.92% |
| Wyoming | 68 | 0.13% | 13 | 0.13% |
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2007-2014
National Human Trafficking Referral Directory
This online Referral Directory is made up of anti-trafficking organizations and programs that offer emergency, transitional, or long-term services to victims and survivors of human trafficking as well as those that provide resources and opportunities in the anti-trafficking field.
Human Trafficking Hotline Statistics
50,123
signals were received by the Hotline in 2021. Includes calls, texts, and online chats and tips.