Traffickers use violence, threats, deception, and other manipulative tactics to trap millions of people worldwide. Children and youth experiencing homelessness are a prime target of this criminal industry.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor or services against their will.
The most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation, and worldwide, nearly 20% of all trafficking victims are children, according to UNODC’s most recent report.
Any person can become a victim of human trafficking, but some are more vulnerable than others. Covenant House research and data reveal that young people experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to the lure of human traffickers.
Nearly one in five Covenant House residents across our U.S. and Canada sites are survivors of human trafficking.
One in two Covenant House residents at our Latin America sites are trafficking survivors.
Here is some information to help you build your knowledge about how human traffickers take advantage of youth experiencing homelessness and what you can do to take action to protect young people and fight human trafficking.
Start here to learn the basics of human trafficking including definitions, who is at-risk, and how youth homelessness and trafficking are linked.
Learn to recognize the signs of trafficking and find out how you can get involved to help protect young people.
Read stories from survivors of human trafficking, Covenant House staff, and allies.
If you or a young person you know needs help, here’s what to do.
Call or come into the nearest Covenant House, where you will find safety, services, and support at no cost. Covenant House has locations in 34 cities across five countries. We are here to help, not to judge.
Your support will ensure that young survivors at Covenant House will receive the care they need to heal, grow, and reach their potential.
