West Michigan Human Trafficking Coalition
The mission of the West Michigan Human Trafficking Coalition (WMHTC) is to build a survivor-centered, coordinated response to human trafficking across West Michigan.
Making a Difference in West Michigan
Human trafficking involves the recruitment, harboring, transporting, or procurement of a person for labor or services for the purpose of involuntary servitude, slavery, or forced commercial sex acts as an adult, or any commercial sex act of a minor.
The WMHTC is for anyone interested in joining efforts to prevent human trafficking, increase identification of victims, and improve services in Kent County and the surrounding areas.
Learn more about the West Michigan Human Trafficking Coalition
Join the coalition and use your skills and/or expertise to be part of the solution in West Michigan.
Our Core Focus
Together, we can identify, respond to, and end human trafficking in West Michigan and beyond.
Contact WMHTC today to get involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Human trafficking can be difficult to recognize and often raises complex questions. The West Michigan Human Trafficking Coalition provides clear, straightforward answers about what trafficking is, who may be at risk, warning signs to look for, and what steps to take if you are concerned about someone’s safety or your own.
This list is not exhaustive. If you or someone you know is in danger, please seek immediate help and survivor support.
Human trafficking involves the recruitment, harboring, transporting, or procurement of a person for labor or services for the purpose of involuntary servitude, slavery, or forced commercial sex acts as an adult, or any commercial sex act of a minor.
Human trafficking can happen anywhere. It is a crime that is happening right under our noses but is difficult to spot. Accurate statistics are hard to determine because victims are afraid to come forward, sometimes traffickers are charged with another crime, and there is a lack of awareness within the community.
Human trafficking involves forced labor or forced sexual acts for someone else’s profit. Human smuggling is the illegal transport of individuals across borders. Smuggling and trafficking are connected and overlapping but are not the same.
Anyone can fall prey to human trafficking, including men, boys, women, and girls. However, those with increased vulnerabilities are at a higher risk. For example, members of marginalized communities, LGBTIA2S+ individuals, foreign nationals, individuals with disabilities, those facing poverty or joblessness, etc.
Many victims do not know they are victims of trafficking, and it can be difficult to pick up on in short interactions.
Some signs to look out for include:
- Movement is controlled by someone else.
- Unsafe working conditions.
- Unfair labor practices.
- Not allowed to speak for themselves.
- Unattended injuries.
- No access to their identifying information.
- No access or limited access to their wages.
For your safety and the safety of potential victims, do not intervene.
Instead:
- Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
- Leave a Silent Observer tip with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.
- If you suspect unfair labor practices, including human trafficking, call the Department of Labor (1-866-487-9243) or submit an online form.
If something feels off, trust your instincts, and if it is safe to do so, leave.
- Leaving can be difficult and, in some cases, dangerous. If you would like to speak confidentially to someone about your situation, please contact Safe Haven Ministries (24/7) for help from an advocate. Call or chat online to develop a safety plan.
- Contact Kent County Sheriff’s Human Trafficking Division by calling .
- It is important to know your rights as a worker. Learn more from the Department of Labor.
- Schedule a training to learn more.
- Join the West Michigan Human Trafficking Coalition.
- Purchase ethically produced goods and services.
To request training aimed at identifying, ending, and caring for survivors of human trafficking, , West Michigan Human Trafficking Coalition’s Coalition Coordinator. Please include “HT Training” in the subject line.