City of Albuquerque Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign
Human trafficking is a critical issue affecting individuals of all ages in urban and rural areas alike, demanding a coordinated and educated response from all sectors of society.
The City Council approved R-24-42 to raise public awareness about the realities of human trafficking in our local community. The resolution also recognizes the need to enhance anti-human trafficking efforts community-wide, providing city employees and the public with the tools needed to prevent, eradicate and build a safer City.
In order to maximize outreach, the City has partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's existing national human trafficking public awareness program: BLUE CAMPAIGN.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking occurs through the use of fraud, coercion or force for labor or commercial sex acts. It is happening in Albuquerque and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Victims may not readily identify themselves as victims. Ultimately, law enforcement must be notified in order to investigate suspected cases.
REPORT SUSPECTED TRAFFICKING: 1-505-768-FREE
VICTIM SUPPORT CALL: 1-888-373-7888
Recognizing Human Trafficking
The first step in recognizing when a person is a potential human trafficking victim is to identify key indicators of the crime. Here are some common indicators:
- Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
- Has a child stopped attending school?
- Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
- Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
- Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
- Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
- Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
- Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
- Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
- Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
- Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
- Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
- Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
*Not all indicators listed above are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking. Source: https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/indicators-human-trafficking.
Training for City Employees
City employees are required to complete comprehensive training tailored to increase their recognition of the signs of human trafficking and their specific roles and responsibilities.
City employees and contractors are also provided information on the appropriate response to potential trafficking and how to connect victims to support services.
Public Awareness
The City is installing anti-human trafficking signs at all the City's major transportation hubs and within all homeless shelters. Signs appropriately designed for victims, victims' families, and the general public are to be posted in city facilities including the City's major transportation hubs (i.e. Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, Alvarado Transportation Center, Double Eagle II Airport, Cottonwood, Southwest Mesa, Uptown, and Unser Bus Stations). The signs are to be included in any future such facilities developed and owned by the City. Appropriate anti-human trafficking signs and literature are also available and are visible inside all City buses.
Anti-Human Trafficking Signs and awareness materials are also available for the owners of private transportation hubs and businesses, including bus companies and agencies that provide route service between cities.