One Call Can Change Everything: Supporting Survivors Through the National Human Trafficking Hotline

A few months ago, a mother called the National Human Trafficking Hotline (Hotline) in fear and frustration. Her adult daughter, Rebecca,* was being trafficked for sex. The trafficker was actively controlling her movements, and while Rebecca wanted to leave, she was terrified that reaching out for help would lead to her arrest.

Rebecca’s mother called the Hotline to ask for help on her daughter’s behalf. A trained specialist immediately contacted law enforcement, who confirmed they would respond with urgency. But the situation shifted quickly. Within an hour, the trafficker had moved Rebecca. The Hotline followed up, and law enforcement officers deployed again — but they were unable to locate her.

Over the next several hours, the Hotline stayed in contact with Rebecca’s mother, answering questions, providing updates, and building trust — not just with her, but indirectly with Rebecca. That trust—built through real, human connection—made a difference. The next day, Rebecca reached out to the Hotline herself — this time via text. 

She had escaped and made her way to a safe place. The Hotline immediately provided multiple referrals to ensure Rebecca received the care she needed to begin recovering from her trafficking experience.

This is the kind of story that sticks with us. It’s real. It’s complicated. And it’s why the National Human Trafficking Hotline exists.

We’re the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Through our Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), we fund and oversee the Hotline grant program. And we want the public to know: the Hotline is fully operational, and it continues to regularly report to and coordinate with survivors, service providers, and law enforcement — including in cases like this one. These reports are made when permitted or required by law, and we remain deeply committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of those who contact the Hotline for help. Protecting the privacy and safety of individuals is central to the Hotline’s mission, even as it works closely with authorities to ensure safety, accountability, and justice.

When Concerns Are Raised, We Respond

In April 2025, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent a letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging HHS to ensure that the grant-funded operators of the Hotline strengthen collaboration with local law enforcement. This request echoed concerns previously raised by NAAG in 2023. As the federal funder, ACF took these concerns seriously and has conducted a full review of the Hotline’s protocols. 

What we found—and what our ongoing monitoring has consistently shown—is this: There has been no systematic lapse in reporting tips to law enforcement. While the Hotline refers thousands of cases each year, the volume of calls, gaps in information provided to the Hotline, and complexity of multiple systems involved may mean that not every report has reached the right enforcement agencies or been acted on in the way callers may have hoped. Strengthening this system — expanding coordination, refining processes, and ensuring information moves quickly and accurately to the right people — remains one of our top priorities.  

The role of OTIP is not to answer calls, but to make sure the system is functioning the way it should — efficiently, legally, and with the survivor’s needs, safety, and privacy at the center.

What We See in Action

The Hotline operates 24/7 with the ability to provide support in over 200 languages. It receives calls, texts, chats, and emails from survivors, concerned loved ones, community members, and frontline professionals. It’s a lifeline for survivors—offering support, safety planning, and connections to local services and law enforcement. 

Each year, the Hotline refers thousands of tips to law enforcement. Some are urgent extractions like the story above. Others are long-term investigations initiated by a single conversation. Here are just a few recent examples:

• A trafficking survivor called to request help escaping her situation. One specialist stayed with her on the line while another coordinated with law enforcement. The survivor was safely removed and connected to shelter and services. 
• A school counselor called about a student showing signs of being trafficked. The Hotline provided resources and reported the situation to both law enforcement and child protective services.
• A mother called to report her adult daughter missing and potentially being trafficked. She had previously contacted law enforcement but was unaware of any action. The Hotline referred the case, and law enforcement confirmed an active investigation was underway.

The Numbers Tell the Same Story

Over the past decade, the Hotline has referred more than 27,000 potential human trafficking situations to law enforcement. 

Here’s what that looks like year by year: 

These numbers show consistent reporting and collaboration year after year. Each number reflects the coordination between a survivor or signaler, a trained specialist, and the public safety professionals who respond.

We’re Strengthening the System

While those numbers are meaningful, the real measure of success is how the system works in moments like Rebecca’s. What matters most is ensuring the system gets survivors the support they need as soon as possible.

At ACF, we evaluate the Hotline’s performance continuously and push for better coordination at every step. During the first 100 days of the President Trump Administration, ACF took immediate action to enhance the Hotline’s operations and improve coordination with federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local partners. This includes strengthening interagency collaboration, addressing missed reports, improving the flow of information between the Hotline and law enforcement, and ensuring accountability at every level. Some of the key actions taken include:

• Piloting a new law enforcement tip form: Developed in collaboration with law enforcement partners nationwide, this form aims to streamline the process of sharing information and ensure it is most useful to those responding to trafficking situations. 
• Increasing frequency of data quality assurance: ACF worked with the Hotline to conduct daily quality assurance reviews and weekly audits. 
• Introducing a comprehensive law enforcement engagement plan: The FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) requires the Hotline to create a comprehensive plan that standardizes tip-sharing with law enforcement at all levels, ensure proper information-sharing protocols are in place when engaging law enforcement and child welfare agencies, and conducting annual trainings. 
• Enhancing funding for future operations: Through the FY 2025 NOFO, ACF increased the award ceiling to $9 million to increase the Hotline’s capacity to respond to increased volume of calls, texts, and online chats and strengthen the delivery of quality services. 

We take seriously our responsibility as the Hotline’s federal funder and oversight agency. And we value the long-standing partnership between the Hotline and the law enforcement professionals who show up — day in and day out — to protect victims and hold traffickers accountable.

Our Message to the Public

To survivors: You are not alone. The Hotline is here to support you — safely, confidentially, and without judgment.

To families, caring professionals, concerned community members: Your calls make a difference. Please keep reaching out when someone needs help.

To law enforcement and frontline responders: Thank you for showing up. We’re committed to strengthening our partnership with you.

And to those with questions about the Hotline or our oversight: We’re listening. You can reach OTIP directly at EndTrafficking@acf.hhs.gov.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline remains active, responsive, and committed to helping people in crisis. As its federal funder, we remain equally committed to ensuring it works the way it’s supposed to — every single day. We will continue working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to protect victims, strengthen access to services nationwide, and disrupt trafficking networks. We’re not just funding the system — we’re invested in making it stronger, smarter, and more survivor-centered every day.

*Name has been changed to protect identity.