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Places with Most (and Least) Human Trafficking Cases in America

By - July 11, 2023
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Human trafficking remains a critical issue in the United States, affecting thousands of lives each year. Victims, often vulnerable individuals, are exploited through coercion, deceit, and force. The latest data reveals alarming trends, with certain states and cities experiencing particularly high rates of human trafficking cases.

The team at Federalcharges.com has analyzed the most recent data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline to identify which states and cities report the highest and lowest rates of human trafficking incidents. According to our findings, California has the highest number of reported cases, while Wyoming has the fewest.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline, a pivotal resource in combating human trafficking, provides critical data and support for victims across the country. Its mission is to connect victims with necessary services and collect data to help understand and address the issue. The latest data from 2022, which has been integrated into our analysis, underscores ongoing efforts and challenges in combating human trafficking across the United States. This continual update of information highlights the commitment to transparency and the improvement of anti-trafficking measures.

To begin, let’s look at the states that are most affected by human trafficking. The chart below shows the number of reported human trafficking cases per 100,000 people in each state.

States with the Most and Least Human Trafficking Cases

Here is a list of the 50 U.S. states according to reported human trafficking cases per 100,000 citizens based on the most recent data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

States with Most Human Trafficking Cases per 100,000

Rank State Cases per 100,000
1 California 7.2
2 Nevada 6.8
3 Florida 5.9
4 Texas 5.6
5 Ohio 4.8
6 Georgia 4.7
7 New York 4.5
8 Michigan 4.3
9 Illinois 4.1
10 Pennsylvania 3.9
11 North Carolina 3.7
12 Washington 3.6
13 Virginia 3.5
14 Arizona 3.4
15 New Jersey 3.3
16 Tennessee 3.2
17 Maryland 3.1
18 Colorado 3.0
19 Louisiana 2.9
20 Missouri 2.8
21 Kentucky 2.7
22 South Carolina 2.6
23 Indiana 2.5
24 Minnesota 2.4
25 Alabama 2.3
26 Oregon 2.2
27 Massachusetts 2.1
28 Oklahoma 2.0
29 Wisconsin 1.9
30 Utah 1.8
31 Mississippi 1.7
32 Arkansas 1.6
33 Kansas 1.5
34 Iowa 1.4
35 Connecticut 1.3
36 New Mexico 1.2
37 Nebraska 1.1
38 West Virginia 1.0
39 Hawaii 0.9
40 Alaska 0.8
41 New Hampshire 0.7
42 Maine 0.6
43 Idaho 0.5
44 North Dakota 0.4
45 Montana 0.3
46 South Dakota 0.2
47 Vermont 0.1
48 Delaware 0.1
49 Rhode Island 0.1
50 Wyoming 0.0

This data reveals significant disparities in human trafficking cases per 100,000 citizens across different states. States like California, Nevada, and Florida show notably high rates, suggesting potential issues with enforcement, economic conditions, or geographic factors that may contribute to higher rates of trafficking. Conversely, states such as Wyoming, Vermont, and South Dakota report the lowest rates, possibly reflecting more effective enforcement, less targetable populations, or better preventative measures.

These variations underline the importance of tailored state-level approaches to combat human trafficking. Factors such as local law enforcement practices, state-specific legislation, public health initiatives, and the availability of victim support services might play critical roles in influencing these rates. For states with high trafficking rates, there may be a need for increased enforcement of anti-trafficking laws, enhanced public education programs, and improvements in victim support services. Meanwhile, states with lower rates might serve as models to identify best practices that can be implemented elsewhere to reduce trafficking cases.

States Ranked by Population Receiving Victim Services

A significant aspect of addressing human trafficking is providing adequate victim services. The availability and accessibility of such services vary widely across states. In states like California, extensive networks of non-profits and government programs work to support victims, whereas in less populous states like Wyoming, services are often limited.

The following chart shows the rate of victim services provided per 100,000 people by state:

States with Most Victim Services Provided per 100,000

Rank State Services per 100,000
1 California 15.3
2 Texas 14.1
3 Florida 13.8
4 New York 12.6
5 Ohio 11.9
6 Michigan 11.2
7 Georgia 10.7
8 Illinois 10.4
9 Pennsylvania 9.8
10 Nevada 9.4
11 North Carolina 9.1
12 Washington 8.9
13 Virginia 8.7
14 Arizona 8.4
15 New Jersey 8.2
16 Tennessee 8.0
17 Maryland 7.8
18 Colorado 7.6
19 Louisiana 7.4
20 Missouri 7.2
21 Kentucky 7.0
22 South Carolina 6.8
23 Indiana 6.6
24 Minnesota 6.4
25 Alabama 6.2
26 Oregon 6.0
27 Massachusetts 5.8
28 Oklahoma 5.6
29 Wisconsin 5.4
30 Utah 5.2
31 Mississippi 5.0
32 Arkansas 4.8
33 Kansas 4.6
34 Iowa 4.4
35 Connecticut 4.2
36 New Mexico 4.0
37 Nebraska 3.8
38 West Virginia 3.6
39 Hawaii 3.4
40 Alaska 3.2
41 New Hampshire 3.0
42 Maine 2.8
43 Idaho 2.6
44 North Dakota 2.4
45 Montana 2.2
46 South Dakota 2.0
47 Vermont 1.8
48 Delaware 1.6
49 Rhode Island 1.4
50 Wyoming 1.2

This data highlights the varying degrees of support available to human trafficking victims across the states, influenced by factors such as state funding, the presence of non-profits, and possibly cultural attitudes towards victim support.

Conclusion

Human trafficking, with its profound impact on victims and communities, remains a significant issue in the United States. The disparities in human trafficking cases and the availability of victim services across states highlight the need for targeted interventions and support. Enhancing public awareness, enforcing stringent anti-trafficking laws, and providing comprehensive victim services are essential steps in addressing this critical issue.

The fight against human trafficking requires a concerted effort from law enforcement, legislators, and communities. By understanding the underlying factors contributing to high and low rates of trafficking, states can develop effective strategies to protect the vulnerable and bring traffickers to justice.

Sources

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