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Definition of human trafficking
: organized criminal activity in which human beings are treated as possessions to be controlled and exploited (as by being forced into prostitution or involuntary labor)
Examples of human trafficking in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Once police completed a search of the house and left the scene, some in the crowd broke into the three-unit house in search of evidence to support the human trafficking theory.
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Sophie Carson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Community activist Vaun Mayes arrested on allegations of burglary as a party to a crime," 30 June 2020 At that signing and today's State Department event was New Jersey Republican Rep. Chris Smith, who has fought for human rights and against human trafficking over his 39 years in Washington.
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Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, "Ivanka Trump hails ‘heroes’ fighting human trafficking: ‘One person has the power’," 25 June 2020 The CityXGuide case, which sent an unwelcome shock wave through its seedy online community, reflects almost two years of work by Nealy Cox’s office, which operates in a state that serves as a human trafficking hub.
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Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, "Feds rescue a 13-year-old girl from sex trafficker and take down online successor to Dallas’ notorious Backpage site," 24 June 2020 Kizer had been receiving an outpouring of support from activists and celebrities including Alyssa Milano and former human trafficking victim Cyntoia Brown-Long.
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Asia Ewart, refinery29.com, "Chrystul Kizer Was Freed On Bail Thanks To The Chicago Community Bond Fund," 22 June 2020 After her daughter, Willow Smith, showed her a documentary on girls being trafficked in the U.S., Pinkett Smith became an advocate against human trafficking.
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Brittney Oliver, Essence, "Jada Pinkett Smith’s Career Proves Success Isn’t A Straight And Narrow Path," 18 June 2020 This means that it can also be used to detect human trafficking.
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Stephanie Bennett, Fox News, "New border technology helps combat illegal drug, weapon and cash smuggling," 17 June 2020 John Carr said Homewood police on June 3 received information that two female juveniles – ages 15 and 16 – were possibly victims of human trafficking.
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Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "2 teens rescued from Homewood motel after being sex trafficked in multiple states; Georgia woman charged," 16 June 2020 Hepburn asked the council to be mindful of human trafficking in the community.
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Jeff Forward, Houston Chronicle, "South County News & Notes: Shenandoah, ORN to host July 4th events," 15 June 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'human trafficking.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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The first known use of human trafficking was in 1904
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