Executive Summary
- A two-year University of Nebraska at Omaha study found that 170 of nearly 600 surveyed service providers had worked directly with labor trafficking survivors.
- Labor trafficking in Nebraska occurs across common industries, including agriculture, restaurants, and factories, often targeting vulnerable individuals.
- Researchers and advocates are calling for improved screening tools, greater cross-agency collaboration, and a centralized statewide strategy to combat the crime.
A comprehensive two-year study from the University of Nebraska at Omaha has concluded that labor trafficking is a more prevalent and concealed crime in the state than commonly perceived, affecting vulnerable workers across various industries. The findings, highlighted at a recent symposium, call for greater awareness and coordinated efforts to identify and support victims.
Study Reveals Scope of the Problem
The statewide study, led by associate professor Teresa Kulig of the UNO School of Criminology, surveyed nearly 600 service providers, 170 of whom reported having worked directly with survivors of labor trafficking. Researchers found that victims included both adults and children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, though a majority were identified as Hispanic or Latino. The exploitation was reported in numerous sectors, including agriculture, restaurants, factories, hotels, and domestic service.
According to the research, the common factor was not the specific location but the nature of the work, which was typically difficult and labor-intensive. Experts noted that labor trafficking often remains hidden because it does not require a public transaction, and victims may be isolated in private homes or rural areas.
Dispelling Common Myths
Service providers are working to correct public misconceptions about trafficking. Andrea Cary, a program director at Heartland Family Service, emphasized that cases rarely involve dramatic kidnappings. Instead, traffickers often groom victims online or exploit existing vulnerabilities such as substance use, homelessness, or housing instability. They may initially present themselves as offering help or employment before using coercion and manipulation to maintain control.
“It oftentimes starts as maybe a wage violation, but can quickly turn into more than just a wage violation where there is control, coercion, manipulation,” Cary stated. She noted that victims rarely self-identify as being trafficked, making proactive screening by service agencies crucial for identification.
National Context and Recommendations
The findings in Nebraska align with national and global data indicating that labor trafficking is a significant issue. The International Labour Organization estimates that approximately 77% of trafficking victims worldwide are exploited for forced labor. In 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 2,220 cases of labor trafficking in the U.S.
In response to their findings, the Nebraska researchers have recommended several key actions. These include the development of expanded screening tools for service providers, enhanced collaboration between advocacy groups and law enforcement, and the creation of a more centralized, statewide approach to tracking cases and supporting victims. “Nebraska is really well situated to tackle trafficking,” Kulig said, stressing the “need to prioritize raising awareness.”