Human Trafficking
Human trafficking (HT) is a growing criminal industry with cases being reported in every state in the United States. No one is immune to this crime and traffickers are known to use force, fraud or coercion on victims for the purpose of either sexual exploitation or labor. In accordance with federal law, any minor under the age of 18 who is made to perform a commercial sex act is a victim of human trafficking, regardless of whether there is force, fraud or coercion. New Jersey is considered particularly vulnerable to the proliferation of human trafficking due to its dense population and location along the I-95 corridor.
It is important to raise awareness about this issue within our schools and communities and for school staff to be knowledgeable of the role they can play in identifying and reporting suspected instances as well as providing support and helping to empower all students. The following information and resources are provided to assist educators and families with making connections to appropriate agencies and organizations related to human trafficking.
NJDOE Guidance
- Guidelines for Schools on the Prevention of Human Trafficking of Students (January 2022)
- Executive Summary of Human Trafficking Prevention Guildlines for Schools (2022)
- Reducing Barriers for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Please contact safesupportiveschools@doe.nj.gov for any related questions.
Federal Guidance
- (U.S. Dept. of Ed., 2021)
- (U.S. Dept. of HHS, 2022)
- If you are interested in human trafficking trainings from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice, please contact humantrafficking@njdcj.org
- For community education, contact (formerly the Women’s Center) at (609) 646-6767.
- The provides training and technical assistance to strengthen communities’ understanding of human trafficking, including the that are also available via online platform.
- offers training webinars on various subjects such as child abuse and neglect and child sex trafficking
- National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments –
- P.L. 2019, c. 189 –
- Frederick Douglass
- P.L. 2013, c.51 - The "Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act.”
