GAO Report "Human Trafficking: Information on Cases in Indian Country or that Involved Native A
Synopsis: The U.S. Government Accountability Office has published a report on human trafficking cases involving Native Americans or occurring in Indian Country.
" Why GAO Did This Study Human trafficking—the exploitation of a person typically through force, fraud, or coercion for such purposes as forced labor, involuntary servitude or commercial sex—is occurring in the United States and involves vulnerable populations. Native Americans are considered a vulnerable population because of high rates of poverty and abuse, and other factors. GAO was asked to research human trafficking taking place in Indian country and trafficking of Native American persons regardless of where they are located in the United States. This report addresses (1) the extent to which tribal and major city LEAs have encountered human trafficking in Indian country or of Native Americans, (2) factors affecting the ability of LEAs to identify and investigate this specific human trafficking, and (3) availability of services to Native American victims of human trafficking. GAO conducted surveys of all known tribal LEAs (203) as identified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; 86 major city LEAs; and 315 victim service provider organizations that received fiscal year 2015 Department of Justice or Department of Health and Human Services grants that could be used to assist human trafficking victims. Survey response rates for tribal LEAs, major city LEAs, and victim service providers were 65 percent, 71 percent, and 51 percent, respectively. The web-based surveys were deployed in September 2016 and asked about human trafficking investigations initiated or services provided from 2014 to 2016. GAO is not making recommendations in this report. For more information, contact Gretta L. Goodwin at (202) 512-8777 or goodwing@gao.gov."
