Human trafficking occurs when one person manipulates or controls another person to provide labor or sex for someone else’s benefit. Under Minnesota law, human trafficking can occur by any means. Under federal law, trafficking requires the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a victim to work or perform commercial sexual services.
Human trafficking and exploitation (both sex and labor) are public health, public safety, human services, and human rights issues that happen around the world and in communities throughout Minnesota. Anyone – no matter their gender, age, race, economic circumstance, nationality, or sexual orientation – can be a victim of human trafficking. Since its creation in 2006, MNHTTF has worked to prevent human trafficking and exploitation through education and policy development. Specifically, MNHTTF has supported strong legislation and anti-trafficking efforts around the state.
The Minnesota Department of Health developed four informational guides with further information on human trafficking.
Human trafficking and exploitation (sex and labor) are public health, public safety, human services, and human rights issues that occur around the world and in communities throughout Minnesota. Victims are domestic or international.
[1] United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking; Polaris Project; and the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights.