Just because someone appears to be willingly working the streets, all is not always what it seems. Many traffickers place tracking devices on their victims, blackmail them, or threaten to harm their loved ones.
Law enforcement in Arizona’s Phoenix area have also pointed out that big events such as the Super Bowl are viewed as “playing fields” and “Christmas” for pimps and human traffickers.
More on Arizona’s anti-human trafficking efforts
The Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit (HEAT) in Arizona is on the ground to stop cases of human trafficking when possible.
Some of HEAT’s work involves going undercover, making “deals” with suspected trafficking victims, and then taking these victims in where they can receive help from anti-human trafficking groups and advocates.
Other members of the community in Arizona, such as teachers, survivors, etc., are working to raise awareness and aid the fight against human trafficking.
Anyone who wishes to report what they believe to be human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by text at 233733.
