— Know What It Is
What human trafficking really looks like
Human trafficking, including sex trafficking, is the recruitment, harboring, transportation of provision or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.
Trafficking of underage victims often involves vulnerable youths, such as those with drug or mental health problems, or those living in unstable families. It is a serious crime affecting communities everywhere. Virginia ranks 15th in the U.S. for reported human trafficking cases.
LCWAG seeks to educate and empower our community to understand, recognize and report human trafficking in collaboration with schools, law enforcement, and key stakeholder organizations.
— It Happens Here
Human trafficking is closer to home than most people think
Virginia remains vulnerable to human trafficking, especially along the I-95 corridor. Tysons Corner is a major hotspot due to its access to the Beltway and Dulles International Airport. LCWAG helps our community recognize human trafficking, respond to it, and protect the people most at risk right here in Loudoun County.
342 Victims
In 2024, Virginia had 228 reported human trafficking situations involving 342 potential victims. Of those, 115 involved sex trafficking, 61 involved labor trafficking, 26 involved both, and 26 were unidentified.
19th Highest Location
The most reported sex trafficking venues are illicit massage businesses, hotels and motels, and residences. The most reported labor trafficking venues are domestic work, food service, and traveling sales crews. At 19, Alexandria reports highest number of trafficking locations in Va.
Virginia 2024 Victim Demographics
Hope begins with Awareness
An increase in awareness campaigns, educational programs, service industry training programs, new reporting systems, policy making & legislation, federal and state funding, advocacy groups and non-profit organizations supporting victims, have equipped communities and businesses with the knowledge, tools and resources to combat this criminal activity and support the healing of victims. Gains have been made and more is to be done.
