National Statistics

The National Human Trafficking Hotline maintains one of the most extensive data sets on the issue of human trafficking in the United States. The statistics contained on this website are based on aggregated information learned through signals -- phone calls, texts, online chats, emails, and online tip reports -- received by the Trafficking Hotline. The data do not define the totality of human trafficking or of a trafficking network in any given area. The Trafficking Hotline uses this data to help human trafficking victims and survivors and to provide the anti-trafficking field with information to help combat all forms of human trafficking.

Read the Trafficking Hotline's 2021 Statistics.

In order to ensure a high quality of data, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reviews cases of potential trafficking and records the information included below. Due to delays in data cleanup, more recent statistics may not be available. This page contains the most recently available information. Data is dynamic and subject to change as the hotline continues to respond to victims of trafficking. Therefore, the data reported is likely to have minor fluctuations based on when the data for the report was retrieved. The current report is based on data retrieved on November 15, 2022, 5:00 PM.

Total National Statistics

The National Human Trafficking Hotline uses the word "case" to represent distinct situations of trafficking reported to the hotline. A case can involve one or more potential victims of trafficking and can be reported to the hotline through one or more conversations via call, text, email, online report, or webchat. The use of the word case is not an indication of law enforcement involvement in the situation.

Polaris has changed the way we present certain data to include contacts initiated by text and chat. As a result, data obtained before this change may not match what is currently available on this site.

View Stats by State

All Time Statistics (Since 2007)

Signals

The Human Trafficking Hotline has received 399,494 signals since its inception.

Hotline Call: 283,584
SMS Report: 62,273
Online Report: 30,532
Email Received: 15,409
Web Chat: 7,696

Cases

Since its inception, the Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 82,301 cases of human trafficking. 164,839 victims were identified in these cases.

Statistics by Year

Select a Year:
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2007-2014
2021

Signals Received in 2021

51,073
signals were received by the Hotline in 2021 from National.
13,277
signals received were from victims or survivors of human trafficking

How do contacts hear about the hotline?

It is helpful for us to learn how people hear about the Hotline so that we can strategically advertise to reach more victims and survivors. However, we are not always able to collect this information during every conversation. 

Ways the Hotline was Found

Referral
525

Internet
369

Training/Conference
232

Print Media
23

DOS Know Your Rights Pamphlet
9

Social Media Site
9

Stickers
6

Street Outreach
3

Television
3

Other
46,758

How do contacts reach the hotline?

People can contact the Hotline by phone, text, online chat, online form, and email. Most people contact us by phone or text.

Signal Types

Hotline Call
32,709

SMS Report
11,256

Online Report
3,490

Email Received
2,802

Web Chat
816

Cases Identified in 2021

10,360
cases were identified in 2021.
16,710
victims were involved in these cases. Cases can involve multiple victims.

What types of trafficking cases were reported?

The Hotline receives tips about situations involving sex trafficking, labor trafficking, sex & labor trafficking, as well as situations where the type of trafficking may be unknown or not specified. 

Types of Trafficking

Sex
7,499

Labor
1,066

Sex and Labor
400
Venues for Sex Trafficking

Pornography
807

Illicit Massage/Spa Business
596

Hotel/Motel-Based
579

Residence-Based Commercial Sex
525

Online Ad Venue Unknown
369

Street-Based
178

Escort/Delivery Service
134

Hostess/Strip Club-Based
47

Truck Stop-Based
43

Bar/Club
33

Legalized Brothel
3

Other
4,185
Venues for Labor Trafficking

Domestic Work
185

Agriculture/Farms
117

Construction
65

Restaurant/Food Service
60

Illicit Activity
59

Hospitality
36

Begging Ring
24

Factory
24

Traveling Sales Crew
22

Peddling Ring
21

Landscaping Service
20

Health Care
16

Housekeeping/Cleaning Service
16

Health & Beauty Services
14

Hostess/Strip Club
10

Professional/Scientific/Tech Services
10

Arts & Entertainment
9

Transportation
9

Traveling Carnival
7

Bar/Club
6

Forestry/Reforestation
5

Aquafarming/Fishing
3

Other
328

What was the primary request in each case?

People contact the hotline to report a tip, request a referral, or reach out for crisis-related services such as immediate shelter or crisis response.

Requests on Human Trafficking Cases

Report a Trafficking Tip
6,546

Access Service Referrals
3,284

Request Crisis Assistance
528

Case Demographics

The Hotline only collects demographic information for victims and survivors in a trafficking situation when appropriate. These numbers are not cumulative as one case could involve multiple victims and survivors.

Ages

Adults
6,642

Minors
2,365
Genders

Females
8,142

Males
1,292

Gender Minorities
132
Citizenships

Foreign Nationals
1,086

US Citizen LPR
655

Signals and cases by State in 2021

State Signals received % of total signals Cases identified % of total cases
Alabama 285 0.56% 80 0.77%
Alaska 81 0.16% 16 0.15%
Arizona 651 1.27% 217 2.09%
Arkansas 270 0.53% 74 0.71%
California 5257 10.29% 1334 12.88%
Colorado 602 1.18% 150 1.45%
Connecticut 170 0.33% 54 0.52%
Delaware 93 0.18% 31 0.30%
District of Columbia 175 0.34% 44 0.42%
Florida 2894 5.67% 781 7.54%
Georgia 1073 2.10% 281 2.71%
Guam 3 0.01% 0 0.00%
Hawaii 90 0.18% 30 0.29%
Idaho 109 0.21% 33 0.32%
Illinois 929 1.82% 243 2.35%
Indiana 467 0.91% 123 1.19%
Iowa 299 0.59% 86 0.83%
Kansas 274 0.54% 85 0.82%
Kentucky 353 0.69% 115 1.11%
Louisiana 375 0.73% 126 1.22%
Maine 175 0.34% 31 0.30%
Maryland 751 1.47% 118 1.14%
Massachusetts 339 0.66% 93 0.90%
Michigan 1186 2.32% 295 2.85%
Minnesota 335 0.66% 98 0.95%
Mississippi 543 1.06% 233 2.25%
Missouri 1103 2.16% 240 2.32%
Montana 133 0.26% 24 0.23%
Nebraska 240 0.47% 57 0.55%
Nevada 571 1.12% 201 1.94%
New Hampshire 68 0.13% 24 0.23%
New Jersey 567 1.11% 151 1.46%
New Mexico 364 0.71% 59 0.57%
New York 1662 3.25% 404 3.90%
North Carolina 922 1.81% 223 2.15%
North Dakota 100 0.20% 19 0.18%
Northern Marianas Islands 0 0.00% 0 0.00%
Ohio 1161 2.27% 291 2.81%
Oklahoma 438 0.86% 99 0.96%
Oregon 485 0.95% 160 1.54%
Pennsylvania 1080 2.11% 192 1.85%
Puerto Rico 34 0.07% 12 0.12%
Rhode Island 38 0.07% 16 0.15%
South Carolina 488 0.96% 124 1.20%
South Dakota 100 0.20% 29 0.28%
Tennessee 525 1.03% 152 1.47%
Texas 3534 6.92% 917 8.85%
U.S. Virgin Islands 4 0.01% 3 0.03%
Utah 319 0.62% 78 0.75%
Vermont 32 0.06% 14 0.14%
Virginia 583 1.14% 140 1.35%
Washington 955 1.87% 233 2.25%
West Virginia 112 0.22% 39 0.38%
Wisconsin 390 0.76% 95 0.92%
Wyoming 68 0.13% 13 0.13%
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2007-2014

Human Trafficking Hotline Statistics

50,123

signals were received by the Hotline in 2021. Includes calls, texts, and online chats and tips.

Discover Statistics From Your State