In 2015, amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) required that all federal contracts and subcontracts comply with Executive Order 13627, which strengthens protections against human trafficking.

This FAR clause requires contractors to notify employees of the policy and establish an appropriate employee awareness program. It is also a mandatory flowdown in all subcontracts for the acquisition of services. Contractors are required to submit a certification that they have implemented an appropriate compliance plan, conducted due diligence to identify and prevent any prohibited activities, and that no prohibited activities have occurred. Additionally, contractors must certify that they have implemented appropriate remedial or referral action, if prohibited activities have occurred.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has a Combating Trafficking in Persons Program (CTIP) that serves as the lead office responsible for coordinating the efforts to prevent human trafficking, prosecute traffickers, and assist in the protection of victims of human trafficking.

The Department of State also maintains an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, which is leading the U.S. effort against human trafficking, an umbrella term that describes activities involved when someone obtains or holds a person in compelled service.

Training

The Department of Defense has created a training that features examples of labor and sex trafficking as they occurred in the DoD as well as video stories from survivors who have a connection with the DoD. See CTIP-GA-US011 Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) General Awareness (a 1-hour course for non-CAC users, that produces a certificate of completion).

Because human trafficking is a hidden crime, the first step to combat it is to identify victims so they can be rescued. The State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Office, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has developed a wealth of materials that increase awareness and provide information about key indicators of human trafficking.

An additional step is to take a few moments to watch the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) Human Trafficking Awareness Training video, which offers general information about how to identify a potential victim and contact the proper authorities.

Victimology

Trafficking victims can be men or women, young or old, American or from abroad, with or without legal status. Traffickers prey on victims with little or no social safety net. They look for victims who are vulnerable because of their illegal immigration status, limited English proficiency, and those who may be in vulnerable situations due to economic hardship, political instability, natural disasters, or other causes. Victims are found in legitimate and illegitimate labor industries, including agricultural fields, restaurants, hotels, and domestic service, to name a few.