Ky.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Kentucky Businesses Against Trafficking is an initiative by Secretary of State Michael Adams and the ​Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office to raise awareness of trafficking and provide businesses with resources needed to identify and​​​ report trafficking.

KBAT members have access to educational resources that help them better understand and spo​​t trafficking.​

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use the following methods to lure victims into trafficking situations:

  • Violence
  • Manipulation
  • False promises of well-paying jobs
  • Romantic relationships 

Language ​barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law ​enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime.

Source: Department of Homeland ​​Security​ 

Due to the nature of human traffick​ing, it is hard to pinpoint the exact number of victims, however, the United States Department of State estimates ​there are 27.6 million victims worldwide at any given time. 

In Kentucky, the National Human Trafficki​​ng Hotline has identified 1,083 cases of human trafficking with 2,499 victims being identified since 2007.​

Anyone can experience trafficking, just as anyone can be the victim of a crime. While it ca​n happen to anyone, there are certain groups that are more at risk than others. 

People considered vulnerable ​​are:

  • Children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, including foster care
  • Runaway and homeless youth
  • Unaccompanied foreign national children without lawful immigration status 
  • Individuals seeking asylum
  • American Indians and Alaska Natives, particularly women and girls 
  • Individuals with substance use issues
  • Racial or ethnic minorities
  • Migrant laborers, including undocumented workers and participants in visa programs for temporary workers
  • Foreign national domestic workers in diplomatic households 
  • Persons with limited English proficiency
  • Persons with disabilities 
  • LGBTQI+ individuals
  • Victims of intimate partner violence and other forms of domestic violence 

Source: United States Department of State​​​

Someon​e may be a victim of human trafficking if they: 

  • Appear submissive, fearful, or​ nervous.
  • Lack control of identification documents or money.
  • Have an inconsistent or well-rehearsed story about where they live, the relationship with the person they are with, or how they traveled to the current location.
  • Dress inappropriately for the weather, their location, or age.
  • Are in the presence of an overtly controlling or concerned friend or boyfriend/girlfriend.
  • Possess multiple hotel key cards, prepaid credit cards, or cellphones.
  • Show signs of physical, mental, or emotional abuse.
  • Seem unable to come and go as they please.

Source: The National Human Trafficking Hotline​​