Characteristics of Suspected Human Trafficking Incidents, 2007-08

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) and its 2003, 2005, and 2008 reauthorizations are the first comprehensive federal legislation to combat human trafficking and to assist trafficking victims. Under the TVPA, human trafficking has occurred if a person was induced to perform labor or a commercial sex act through force, fraud, or coercion. Any person under age 18 who performs a commercial sex act is considered a victim of human trafficking, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion were present