South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force

Resources

Tools to Help Recognize, Identify and Understand Human Trafficking and its Dynamics  

VSP-HT certification

In January 2019, the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force partnered with the Attorney General’s Department of Crime Victim Services Training, Provider Certification, and Statistical Analysis to launch a specialized training for human trafficking service providers. The development of this training followed the passage of H3329.

This training is the first of its kind in South Carolina as well as the nation. Select providers who complete a minimum of 15 hours in approved VSP human trafficking specific basic core requirements will receive certification. Certification is maintained by a minimum of 12 hours of approved VSP continuing education each subsequent calendar year. 

Requirements to be considered for VSP-HT certification

  • A person who meets the statutory definition of Victim Service Provider (§ 16-3-1420), and
  • Whose role is primarily or solely providing direct services to victims of human trafficking, and is
  • A recognized member of a regional and/or the State Human Trafficking Task Force in South Carolina; and
  • Is approved by the criteria established by the State Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator.

SECTION 16-3-1420

  1. (1)"Victim service provider" means a person:
  2. (a) who is employed by a local government or state agency and whose job duties involve providing victim assistance as mandated by South Carolina law; or
  3. (b) whose job duties involve providing direct services to victims and who is employed by an organization that is incorporated in South Carolina, holds a certificate of authority in South Carolina, or is registered as a charitable organization in South Carolina, and the organization's mission is victim assistance or advocacy and the organization is privately funded or receives funds from federal, state, or local governments to provide services to victims.
  4. "Victim service provider" does not include a municipal court judge, magistrates court judge, circuit court judge, special circuit court judge, or family court judge.
  5. (2) "Witness" means a person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, whether or not an action or proceeding is commenced.

Links & Documents

For Survivors

For Survivors

For Identifying and Serving Immigrant Victims

For Identifying and Serving Immigrant Victims

For Healthcare Providers

For Healthcare Providers

For Service Providers

For Service Providers

For Child Welfare Agencies, Case Workers, and Professionals Working With Children

For Child Welfare Agencies, Case Workers, and Professionals Working With Children

For Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Agencies

For Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Agencies

For All Service Providers

For All Service Providers

For Law Enforcement 

For Law Enforcement 

For the Justice System

For the Justice System

10 Elements of a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice System (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, FREE)  

Fact Sheets - English

Human Trafficking Fact Sheet

Learn how to define human trafficking, identify potential victims, and report human trafficking incidents to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. 

Examples of Highly Vulnerable Populations 

  • Foster care youth
  • Runaway/homeless youth
  • Foreign nationals
  • Individual with disabilities
  • Individuals with a history of trauma or abuse
  • Individuals with a history of substance abuse & addiction
  • LGBTQIA+ individuals
  • Low-income individuals

Download Human Trafficking Fact Sheet

Sex Trafficking Fact Sheet

Learn how to define sex trafficking, how to recognize the types of sex trafficking, and the common signs of a sex trafficking victim.

Types of Sex Trafficking

  • Personal sexual servitude
  • Residential brothels
  • Remote interactive sexual acts
  • Escort services
  • Outdoor solicitaion
  • Illicit massage, health, and beauty
  • Pornography
  • Bars, strip clubs, and cantinas

Download Sex Trafficking Fact Sheet

Labor Trafficking Fact Sheet

Learn how to define labor trafficking, how to recognize the types of labor trafficking, and the common signs of a labor trafficking victim.

Types of Labor Trafficking

  • Factories & manufacturing
  • Agriculture & animal husbandry
  • Peddling & begging
  • Commercial cleaning services
  • Traveling sales crews
  • Health & beauty services
  • Landscaping & construction
  • Domestic work
  • Hotels & hospitality
  • Restaurants & food service
  • Bars, strip clubs, & cantinas
  • Arts & entertainment

Download Labor Trafficking Fact Sheet

Human Trafficking & Internet Safety

Understand how traffickers can use the internet to exploit victims and learn how caregivers can implement safety mechanisms to prevent youth from being victimized.

Safety Recommendations

  • Monitor social media accounts
  • Make sure all online accounts are private
  • Do not share any personal information online, such as phone numbers and addresses
  • Avoid online conversations with strangers, as traffickers often use messaging apps to build rapport with their victims
  • Only add or friend individuals you trust
  • Help children and youth understand the permanence of content posted online
  • Establish a rule that young people will not meet up in person with anyone they meet inline
  • Inform children and youth they can report online abuse or threats to a trusted adult or law enforcement
  • Discuss safety tips in an age-appropriate manner with children and youth

Download Human Trafficking & Internet Safety Fact Sheet

Human Trafficking & Temporary Guestworker Visas

Understand human trafficking trends within the temporary guestworker system as well as the potential signs of a labor trafficking victim.

Visa types at risk for exploitation

  • A-3: Personal employees, attendants or domestic workers for diplomats and government officials
  • B-1: Business visitors
  • F-1: Students, including colleges and universities
  • G-5: International organization/NATO officials and employees
  • H-1B: Workers in specialty occupations requiring a higher education degree
  • H-2A: Temporary/seasonal agricultural workers
  • H-2B: Temporary/seasonal non-agricultural workers
  • J-1: Participants in work, cultural, and study-based exchange programs

Download Human Trafficking & Temporary Guestworker Visas Fact Sheet

Fact Sheets - Spanish

Informacion Sobre Trata de Personas

Aprenda cómo definir la trata de personas, identificar posibles víctimas, y reportar incidentes de trata de personas a la Línea Nacional de Trata de Personas. 

Descargar Informacion Sobre Trata de Personas

 

La Trata de Personas y Seguridad de Internet

Comprender cómo los traficantes pueden usar Internet para encontrar, capacitar y aprovecharse de sus víctimas. Aprender cómo los cuidadores pueden implementar mecanismos de seguridad para evitar que los jóvenes sean víctimas. 

Descargar La Trata De Personas Y Seguridad de Internet

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Call: +1-888-373-7888

Text: 233733 (BeFree)

Mailing Address The Honorable Alan Wilson
P.O. Box 11549
Columbia, S.C. 29211

Office Address Rembert Dennis
1000 Assembly Street, Room 519
Columbia, S.C. 29201

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