Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Utah Women Stats Research Snapshot

Volume

35

Publisher

Utah Women & Leadership Project

Publication Date

4-6-2022

First Page

1

Last Page

5

Abstract

Human trafficking is a global problem that involves the exploitation of people for profit through the means of force, fraud, or coercion.1 It takes a variety of forms, including forced labor, debt bondage, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation.2 Systemic inequalities, such as mass displacement, extreme poverty, and lack of access to education and job opportunities are examples of contributing factors that can fuel trafficking of vulnerable populations.3 While the scale of trafficking in persons is difficult to determine, estimates suggest that there were over 40 million victims worldwide in 2016.4 In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, various regions and countries reported increased domestic human trafficking as a result of loss in financial livelihoods and restrictions placed on movement.5 While human trafficking occurs across sexes and gender identities, approximately 20% of victims detected globally are girls and 50% are adult women.6

Despite public perceptions that human trafficking is only an international problem,7 it occurs in the United States and even within urban and rural areas of Utah. For example, in February of 2021, six people were arrested for human trafficking and prostitution in massage parlors after police intervention in Utah County.8 In 2020, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 182 contacts about 64 reported human trafficking cases in Utah.9 In 2019, 157 victims and 39 traffickers were identified,10 and in 2018 the Utah Attorney General’s Office conducted 49 human trafficking investigations and reportedly prosecuted eight cases and served 44 victims.11 Importantly, however, these figures are likely underestimates of the prevalence of human trafficking in the state.

The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) seeks to better understand the status, experiences, and challenges of all Utah girls and women in order to empower them. This includes girls and women in our state who are victims and survivors of human trafficking. This research snapshot focuses on three main areas:

  1. Overview of human trafficking definitions, contributing factors, and significance;
  2. Direct and indirect costs and consequences of human trafficking; and
  3. Recommendations to eliminate human trafficking in the state of Utah.

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