Human Trafficking Overview

Forms of Trafficking

While trafficking can take a myriad of forms, the Polaris Project organizes trafficking into three umbrella categories based on the nature of the exploitation: Labor, Sex & Labor, and Sex Trafficking. From there it creates more precise divisions based on the business model of the trafficker, the locations being utilized, and the most vulnerable demographics in each sphere.

These categories help better define the issue of human trafficking so that prevention programs can make their material pointed and relevant to their audience, instead of using generic programs that can often fail to show what trafficking networks might look like in the viewer’s workplace.

Chart
  • Labor Trafficking (Blue) - Human trafficking that relies on the sexual exploitation of the victim through pornography, prostitution, digital sex work, and sexual abuse.
  • Sex Trafficking (White) - Human trafficking that relies on the exploitation of the victim through forced servitude like manual labor or domestic work.
  • Labor & Sex Trafficking (Green) - The intersection of human trafficking that involves the sexual exploitation of the victim in addition to their coerced labor, like providing a sexual favors in addition to the service work associated with a given industry (Polaris 2017)

Vulnerable Groups

Immigrant Women, Language barriers, Documentation

  • In the United States, victims of trafficking are almost exclusively immigrants, and mostly immigrant women (ACLU).
  • The average age is 20, and in the US, immigrant women and children are the most vulnerable (ACLU).
  • This is due to their poor education, inability to speak English, immigration status, and lack of familiarity with US protections (ACLU).
  • They are also vulnerable because they work more secretive jobs that the government does not regulate (ACLU).
  • Traffickers and abusers often use a victim’s lack of immigration status to exploit and control them (USCIS).
  • Language and cultural barriers may make it difficult for victims to seek help after experiencing victimization (USCIS).
  • In the agriculture sector, 76% of the likely victims were immigrants, and nearly half of all likely victims were from Mexico (Polaris, 2024).

Native Women/Native American Communities

  • Indigenous people account for nearly 25% of human trafficking victims.
  • Indigenous women and girls are the least recognized and protected population.
  • According to the FBI, 40 percent of victims of sex trafficking are Native, but Native women only make up 10 percent or less of the general population.
  • Sex trafficking of contemporary Indigenous women is “almost indistinguishable from the colonial tactics of enslavement, exploitation, exportation, and relocation” (Stern).
  • Historical systemic sexual exploitation at the hands of American soldiers.
  • The United States government sanctioned American soldiers to use tactics that included abuse and prostitution.
  • United States enforced policies that normalized the sexual abuse of native women and girls under the law and subjected those who resisted colonization to “rape, physical abuse, and racist verbal abuse from colonists” (Stern)

Domestic Violence In Oklahoma

Domestic abuse in Oklahoma requires a diverse response, including legal reforms, increased financing for victim services, and community involvement. By applying these techniques, the state hopes to minimize domestic violence incidents and provide greater support to victims and their families.

Alarming Statistics

Comparative National Rankings

Legislative and Community Responses

In response to these alarming trends, the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board has made several recommendations:​

Additionally, the state has directed $17 million from the Attorney General's Office to certified domestic violence and sexual assault providers across Oklahoma to expand access to services for underserved populations https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/generally-speaking/2024/october-breaking-the-silence-oklahomas-fight-against-domestic-violence.html

Resources for Victims

IndigenoUS Class

Indigenous class is an online course created by Caleb Mcdaniel and Jill Shero. They have created this class to bring awareness to human trafficking all over Oklahoma as well as many other topics, specifically targeted to members of Indigenous communities. Indigenous Class has partnered with the Tribal Leadership council to expand access to Native-Led Education. These courses are designed to empower learners by centering Indigenous experiences and providing practical knowledge for leadership and advocacy within Native Communities.

Memberships are available for purchase. If you are interested in learning more about this course, email Caleb Mcdaniel at caleb@indigenousclass.com.

HopeHouse OKC

HopeHouse OKC is a community-based organization in Oklahoma City dedicated to providing comprehensive support for families facing homelessness. HopeHouse is an available resource for families enduring human trafficking as well. They offer safe housing, personalized case management, and access to essential resources. Through transitional and supportive programs, HopeHouse OKC creates a nurturing environment where families can heal and rebuild their lives. They provide wraparound services including life skills training, employment assistance, mental health services, and more. HopeHouse OKC works alongside families to create sustainable futures, fostering resilience and strengthening the community as a whole.

To learn more or to apply for services visit www.hopehouseokc.com.

The Sonshine House

The Sonshine House is located in Wilburton, Oklahoma. It was created in collaboration with Sonshine Fellowship Church and community members of Wilburton. This house serves as a shelter for women and families who are struggling to come out of human trafficking. The services that the Sonshine House provide include safe housing, nutrition, mental health services, and career building services.

For more information please contact wardharley@yahoo.com

Bibliography

American Civil Liberties Union. (2007, May 31). Human trafficking: Modern enslavement of immigrant women in the United States. https://www.aclu.org/documents/human-trafficking-modern-enslavement-immigrant-women-united-states

USCIS. “Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes | USCIS.” U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, January 24, 2025. https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-of-human-trafficking-and-other-crimes.

Polaris. (2020, April 24). The Latino face of human trafficking and exploitation in the United States: Executive summary. Polaris Project. https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY-The-Latino-Face-of-Human-Trafficking-and-Exploitation-in-the-United-States.pdf​

Stern, Julia. "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: The Colonizing Nature of Law." Immigration and Human Rights Law Review, 13 Oct. 2021, https://lawblogs.uc.edu/ihrlr/2021/10/13/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-the-colonizing-nature-of-law/. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Polaris. “The Typology of Modern Slavery: Defining Sex and Labor Trafficking in the United States - Polaris,” March 7, 2017. https://polarisproject.org/resources/the-typology-of-modern-slavery-defining-sex-and-labor-trafficking-in-the-united-states/.