Sex trafficking is a diverse and complex crime. And it’s happening all over our city.
What is sex trafficking?
Sex trafficking occurs when someone uses force, fraud or coercion to cause a commercial sex act with an adult, or causes a minor to commit a commercial sex act.
What is a commercial sex act?
It includes prostitution, pornography or sexual performance done in exchange for any item of value, such as money, drugs, shelter, food or clothes.
Where does sex trafficking take place?
Sex trafficking exists within diverse and unique sets of venues and businesses, including:
Hotels and motels
Truck stops
Strip clubs
Taxi facilities
Airports
Homeless shelters
In public on city streets
Fake massage businesses
Escort services
Residential brothels
Hostess clubs
Not all sex trafficking operations are the same. However, some commonalities include a diverse network of traffickers, recruiters and operation heads.
Sex trafficking is a market-driven criminal industry—all reliant on supply and demand.
By not buying sex and not participating in the commercial sex industry, community members can reduce and remove the demand for sex trafficking—and give survivors a pathway toward freedom.
RECOGNIZE WARNING SIGNS
Minors traveling without adult supervision or with someone who speaks for them
Avoids eye contact; alone, unkempt, scared/crying, disheveled appearance
Physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts
Dressed inappropriately for weather or age
Offer to exchange sex for ride, meal, etc.
Fearful or anxious behavior if bringing up law enforcement
Signs of branding: initials, name, saying or symbol; may deny knowing meaning of the tattoo
Withdrawn, submissive, tense, nervous and paranoid
Does not know the person who is picking them up (on the street, at bus or train station)
Looks malnourished or exhausted
Has few or no personal belongings, may not have control of money or ID
Claims just visiting, traveling with relative, inconsistent story, inability to provide address or information where staying
Interacting with significantly older people (male or female), and sharing personal information online
Jealous, controlling and violent behavior
Significantly older than companions
Promise things that seem too good to be true
Encourage victims to engage in illegal activities to achieve their goals and dreams
Buys expensive gifts or owns expensive items
Is vague about his/her profession
Pushy or demanding about sex
Encourages inappropriate sexual behavior
Makes the victim feel responsible for his/her financial stability. Very open about financial matters.
If you have any information or tips regarding sex trafficking, you can safely submit a tip to Omaha Crime Stoppers.
Helpful info to include in your tip:
• Usernames
• Common locations where "parties" or "dates" are taking place
• Emails
• Phone numbers
Whether you leave a call or online tip, all tipsters will remain anonymous—and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest. Our enhanced reward is up to $10,000 for any tips that lead to an arrest for sex trafficking.
Together with the community, we can save lives and make Omaha an even safer, happier city.