Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Tribal lands, and U.S. territories

Since its inception, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline has received over 460,000 calls, texts, online reports about trafficking. 

Victims reported to hotlines have included both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as foreign nationals - showing that trafficking impacts people regardless of legal status. 

Some research estimates the average age of entry into sex trafficking in the U.S. is approximately 13–15 years old.

Estimates indicate that 25–50% of trafficking victims in the U.S. are minors. 

Studies estimate that the majority of victims in sex trafficking situations are female. For example, broader data estimate well over 70% of trafficking victims are women and girls. 

Houston, Texas – Often ranked #1 for most reported trafficking cases

Los Angeles, California

New York

Washington, D.C.

Chicago, Illinois

Las Vegas, Nevada

Atlanta, Georgia

Miami, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Dallas, Texas

Columbus, Ohio

San Diego, California

These rankings are based on reported cases and hotline data, which do not represent the total number of actual trafficking victims. 

Many cases go unreported or unrecognized.

U.S. law enforcement reported approximately 2,950 human trafficking incidents in 2022, 

with an estimated 3,570 victims identified.

• 78% of victimizations were sex trafficking, while 22% were labor trafficking.
• About 70% of incidents involved only one victim, and about two‑thirds of cases did not result in an arrest or clearance, meaning many trafficking situations remain unresolved.

In 2024 alone, the National human trafficking hotline received 32,309 signals nationwide.

8,024 of those signals came directly from victims or survivors of trafficking.

The hotline identified 11,999 cases involving 21,865 potential victims in 2024

Among identified victims/survivors in 2024 where demographics were known:

• 8,359 were female
• 1,972 were male
• 8,233 were adults
• 2,666 were minors

 Digital recruitment is increasingly common: the majority of sex trafficking in the U.S. now involves online platforms, social media, and dating apps making it harder to detect. 

In cases charged in U.S. district courts in Fiscal year 2022:

• 91% of defendants were male.
• 58% were white, 20% Black, and 18% Hispanic.
• 95% were U.S. citizens.

In Fiscal Year 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice secured convictions against at least 289 traffickers, up from 256 convictions in FY 2022. 

Of these, 258 involved sex trafficking, while 31 involved labor trafficking. 

• 75% of survivors surveyed in the National Survivor Study reported that access to behavioral or mental health services was a top need when they exited trafficking.
• However, only 39% were able to access mental health support even later, showing a major gap in services survivors need for long-term healing.

75% of human trafficking survivors report needing mental health or behavioral health support after exiting exploitation.
Only 39% are able to access those services.

 Human trafficking leaves deep and lasting scars. 

Survivors often face lifelong physical, emotional and social consequences, including chronic health problems, PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use and difficulty forming trusting relationships. Many also struggle with housing, employment, education and legal challenges, while stigma and isolation can make recovery even harder. 

A systematic review of survivor support programs (2010–2022) found that different types of interventions - like trauma therapy, wrap-around services, and peer support can have statistically significant positive effects on survivor outcomes in areas including mental health and social functioning. About half of measured outcomes showed meaningful improvement after structured services.