Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Traffickers use force, fraud
or coercion to exploit victims for commercial sex or labor purposes. More than
18,000 victims are trafficked into the U.S. annually and more than half of those
victims are children. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry
in the world and it is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest
criminal industry in the world today. Victims of sex trafficking may be found
in massage parlors, brothels, strip clubs, or escort services. Victims of labor
trafficking may be found, for example, in domestic situations as nannies or maids. Human
trafficking victims can be found in sweatshop factories, construction sites, farms,
or working as panhandlers. Human trafficking is everywhere and is sometimes in plain
sight. Please visit the
National Human Trafficking Resource Center Website to access additional
information or to report suspected trafficking.
In 2008, the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office drafted the State’s
human trafficking legislation and introduced Senate Bill 71 to the Legislature. Lawmakers
passed Senate Bill 71, making human trafficking a criminal offense, following the
other southwest border states of Texas, California and Arizona. New Mexico’s
law mandates increased penalties for trafficking children and provides that human
trafficking victims shall be eligible for benefits and services from the state until
the victim qualifies for benefits and services authorized by the federal Victims
of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.
The law further established a task force coordinated by the Border Violence Division
to combat human trafficking. The task force has made significant progress in
education and law enforcement efforts involving this heinous crime.
The BVD has also established thirteen regional work groups throughout the State. These
work groups are information-sharing, collaborative partnerships with law enforcement,
social services, and concerned representatives from the community at-large. The
goal is to increase identification of victims, provide comprehensive assistance
to victims, and successfully prosecute offenders.
Anyone interested in joining and/or establishing a work group in your County, please
contact the Attorney General’s Border Violence Division at 505-827-6000.
If you would like additional information sent to you regarding this issue, please
contact the Attorney General’s Border Violence Division at 505-827-6000.
The Border Violence Division is involved in the investigation and prosecution of
labor and sex trafficking cases throughout New Mexico.
More Information on Human Trafficking
View NM Attorney General’s Office Human
Trafficking publications
View NM Attorney General’s Office Human
Trafficking PSA video
Listen to the Human Trafficking PSA
Visit Department of Health and Human Services
- Rescue and Restore