What is Human and Labor Trafficking

Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by improper means (such as force, abduction, fraud, or coercion) for an improper purpose, including sex or labor trafficking. Someplace Safe offers advocacy services, including resources and referrals to assist individuals who have been or are currently being trafficked including sex or labor trafficking.

Labor Trafficking:
Labor trafficking is when a person performs labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Labor trafficking includes: debt bondage, forced labor or services, wage theft, forcing staff to live on-site and paying above market for food and or lodging and/or involuntary child labor. Victims are coerced or deceived into working in industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, domestic work, or as servants, with little or no pay, long working hours, and deplorable conditions.

Sex Trafficking:
Victims, including women, men, and children, are forced into prostitution, pornography, or other forms of commercial sex acts against their will. This is transactional.

Child Trafficking:
They may be trafficked for various purposes, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, child soldiers, or child brides.

Organ Trafficking:
Involves the illegal trade of organs, where individuals are coerced or forced to provide their organs for transplantation.

Forced Marriage:
Victims are compelled to marry against their will, often through coercion, threats, or deception.

Debt Bondage:
Individuals are trapped in a cycle of forced labor to repay a debt, which can be inflated or manipulated by traffickers.

It is crucial to recognize these different forms of trafficking, as understanding their nuances is essential for effective prevention, identification, and support of survivors. By raising awareness and implementing measures to combat these various types of Human Trafficking, we can work towards eliminating this grave violation of human rights.

Seek Help

Due to the diverse nature of these crimes, trauma-informed advocacy services will be provided based on the self-defined needs of the survivor(s). Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, their family, and support system regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability.

The Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is operated by staff and/or volunteers who have been trained to help victims and survivors of crime cope with a wide range of needs and responses to victimization. All advocacy services provided by Someplace Safe are completely free and confidential.

Someplace Safe provides services based on clients’ self-defined goals and gauges success based on clients successfully meeting those goals.

Someplace Safe Crisis Line: 1-800-974-3359

Youth Experiencing Sexual Exploitation or Trafficking:
PO Box 815
Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0815
320-270-5006
Email: youthadvocates@someplacesafe.info

Contact Info for Labor Trafficking:
Call or Text 320-270-3009
Email: labor.trafficking@someplacesafe.info

Services Available to Victims and Survivors of Crime

The Crime Victim Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is provided by staff trained to assist survivors of crime, their families and support systems. Advocates are trained staff and volunteers who offer help to survivors, families, and friends who have been affected by crime or violence.

Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability. Accessible services are available. Accessibility includes interpreters (foreign language and DHH), live chat, and text.
*Staff are mandated by law to report information regarding child abuse or certain situations involving vulnerable adults.

Advocacy services are free and confidential and include:

24-Hour Crisis Line
Someplace Safe operates an emergency crisis line, answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The line is staffed by individuals trained to listen, offer information, and make referrals to emergency agencies if necessary.

Civil/Legal Assistance
Staff may help guide survivors by providing options within the legal and court system. This may include assistance in filing protective orders and/ or accompaniment to court hearings.

Assistance through the Criminal Court Process
Staff can assist with answering questions, criminal court tracking and accompaniment throughout the court process. Assistance and information is available on a variety of topics, including reparations, restitution, Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements.

Hospital or Law Enforcement Accompaniment
Staff are available to assist survivors of crime in emergency situations at local hospitals/clinics, emergency rooms, or law enforcement centers.

Short-Term Emergency Placement (S.T.E.P.S.)
S.T.E.P.S. may be available for survivors of crime who require short- term emergency housing due to an immediate crisis or victimization. A screening and intake process is required.

Support & Empowerment Groups
Various groups offer a supportive environment in which survivors can explore, discuss and understand the impact and dynamics of violence with other survivors.

Parenting Time Centers
Parenting Time Centers provide safe, neutral environments to visit or exchange children. Intakes are required. A sliding fee scale applies for services. Services include contact exchanges, visitation scheduling, supervised phone calls and Skype. Please contact the Parenting Time Center at 218-739-3132 for intake information and locations.

Community Thrift Stores
Someplace Safe operates Thrift Stores. The stores are open to the public for shopping and donations. Clients in need may qualify for vouchers for items.