Human trafficking is best described as the despicable exploitation of others for profit through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of forced/exploited labor or commercial sex. This pernicious act decimates the lives of the trafficked, fracturing families, and exploits the victim’s body and labor as a renewable resource.
This self-study course will examine numerous aspects of this criminal activity, to include forced and exploited labor, the concept of a “victim centered approach via trauma informed care”; why fire and emergency services play a critical role in the identification and reporting of suspicious behavior; and emerging strategies and threats.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Define human trafficking (including all types and kinds: commercial sex, forced/exploited labor, domestic servitude, etc.)
- Identify applicable state, federal and international laws
- Recognize the global scope of human trafficking
- Identify “push” and “pull’ factors relevant to human trafficking
- Express the critical role fire/EMS play in the identification and reporting of potential trafficking
- Identify how international terrorist organizations are expanding their criminal activities to include human trafficking and slavery
- Explain how traffickers have exploited survivors of natural disasters
- Articulate how traffickers exploit disaster rebuild efforts
