Sacred Heart Family Services Women’s Shelter-24 hrs a day: 605-964-7233
Toll Free Crisis Line: 1-800-390-9298
Sacred Heart Center Advocates may assist Sex Trafficking victims by providing information and referral services.
It is against federal and state law to recruit, harbor, transport, provide or obtain a person through the use of force, fraud or coercion to engage in prostitution, pornography, exotic dancing, or other forced labor.
Signs that someone is being trafficked:
- Cannot buy their own food or clothing.
- May be malnourished, embarrassed or ashamed.
- Can’t have friends, go to school or contact relatives.
- May have been “branded”. (burnt by cigarettes or forcibly tattooed)
- May have been forced into drug and/or alcohol use
- May have been beaten, raped or blackmailed
- They may have an anxiety disorder, experience depression, be in a constant state of fear
Sex traffickers can be anyone, there is no certain “look” to who they are.
- They could be your neighbor, relative or boyfriend.
- They may pose as employers or business owners
- They may be part of organized crime
American Indian’s are the highest targeted race for sex trafficking victims.
- Most victims are young females
- Male and female children and adult females are the primary targets for sex trafficking