Tim Whittman from the F.B.I. says illegal sex businesses often limit their customers to avoid being caught.
TIM WHITTMAN: "If a person, for example, from Korea is brought in to the United States under false pretenses and then forced into prostitution, very much that place where the prostitution occurs is within, then, the Korean community in the United States."
Deborah Sigmund started a group called Innocents at Risk. She says most of the victims of human trafficking come from economically troubled countries.
DEBORAH SIGMUND: "They want to think that they can come to America and have a great job, so it's very easy to fool them."
Tim Whittman says the smugglers often threaten their victims and make it difficult for them to pay their debts. The threat may be against their family back in their home country. But there are other ways to pressure victims to stay.
TIM WHITTMAN: "A common threat is 'If you leave, I'm going to report you to immigration and you'll be arrested. You'll be kept in prison for a long time.'"
But in reality, there is help. Victims of human trafficking can sometimes get a special visa. It permits them to stay in the United States for up to four years. During that time, they can request to stay permanently. But with threats, a language barrier and fear of the legal system, victims are often unwilling or unable to seek help.
And that's the VOA Special English Development Report, with reporting by Elizabeth Lee. I'm Doug Johnson.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25