Is It Trafficking? The A•M•P Model

A young Latina housekeeper in uniform stands in front of a hotel bed with arms crossed

Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking. Victims may be US citizens or foreign-born; male, female, transgender, or nonbinary; any race, religion, level of income. Trafficking does not need to involve being kidnapped or transported away from home — young people may be trafficked while still living at home and attending school. The average age of victims entering the world of trafficking is 12 to 14 years old.

If you encounter a person you believe may be trafficked, you should make a report so that an investigation can be made. Proper authorities can use the AMP model to help determine whether a potential victim’s situation meets the legal definition of trafficking.

The AMP Model

If one element from each column – Action, Means, and Purpose – can be identified, then a case can be considered human trafficking.

It’s very important to note that if a person is under the age of 18 and involved in commercial sex trade, there does NOT need to be a means (force, fraud, or coercion) to meet the definition of human trafficking. It is automatically assumed that a minor cannot consent to commercial sex, is being exploited, and is a victim of human trafficking. This is true regardless of the age of consent in their state. There is no legal defense for ignorance of a victim’s age (i.e., “I thought they were 18.”).

A: ACTION

Recruiting, obtaining, harboring, transporting, or providing a person (or attempting to do so)

Anyone involved or enabling the trafficking of another individual may be charged with human trafficking.

  • The “pimp” who recruits or grooms victims into prostitution
  • The landlord who allows his property to be used for trafficking or confining victims
  • The customer or “john” who purchases the services of a trafficking victim
  • The parent who offers or allows their child to be trafficked
  • The driver who knowingly transports a victim to trafficking appointments or job sites
  • The person who creates and advertises fraudulent job offers

M: MEANS

Force, fraud, or coercion

A trafficker will use nefarious methods to compel others to perform labor or services against their will.

  • Physical violence or threats of violence
  • Threats against victims’ loved ones
  • Physical confinement or isolation
  • Sexual assault or rape
  • Fraudulent employment offers
  • Withholding wages
  • False promises about working conditions
  • Psychological manipulation
  • Withholding legal documents and/or citizenship papers
  • Blackmail, extortion. threats of deportation or arrest
  • Coercion into drug use and addiction

P: PURPOSE

Commercial sex trade or commercial labor / services

Trafficking involves performing labor or sexual acts in return for something of value being paid to the trafficker.

  • Commercial sex or pornography where the victim does not keep the money paid by customers
  • Domestic servitude
  • Work that is unpaid or paid less than minimum wage
  • Debt bondage – a person forced to work off a “debt” that they can never repay
  • Working “on call” 24 hours per day, not receiving breaks or holidays
  • Being “sold” or “traded” to others in return for drugs, money, or other valuables

How you can help