Human trafficking is a "modern-day version of slavery", according to the Department of Homeland Security. It involves the use of coercion, fraud, or force to obtain some sort of labor or commercial sex act. Millions of men, women, and children are trafficked into forced-labor situations worldwide. Many of these victims are lured by the promise of opportunity or a well-paying job, but quickly find that they are forced into labor.

So, what can I—and you—do to help these people?

1. Educate yourself, and others.

Who's at risk? Traffickers prey on victims with no social safety net. Immigrants are particularly a risk, especially if they speak limited access or have an illegal immigration status. Traffickers look for easily manipulated victims, like those who are in vulnerable situations due to economic hardship or natural disaster.

Where can they be found? Victims of human trafficking can be found anywhere from restaurants to hotels, agricultural fields and sweatshops.

How can I identify a victim? Victims often show submissive behavior, such as being isolated or deferring to another person to speak for them. They may show outward signs of abuse, both physical and emotional, and may be deprived of basic necessities such as food and hygiene. Pay attention to their working conditions, as well-- victims may work excessively long hours with little to no breaks, be forced to engage in sexual acts, or have their wages garnished to pay smuggling fees. You can find more information on identifying victims here.

I suspect someone is a victim, so what next? There are several ways to reach out for help. You can call1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) to report suspicious criminal activity to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or report a tip online at http://www.ice.gov/tips .

2. Buy Ethically.

Many human trafficking rings still operate alongside legitimate organizations. You can look at the Department of Labor's list of companies that employ child labor here, which will hopefully make you think. These products may not be the products you buy right off the shelves, but the fabric from Bangladesh and electronics from Malaysia may well be stepping stones to your flannels and your cell phones. Do research to make sure that your products—and the materials in them-are ethically sourced.

3. Get Involved.

Many organizations across the globe work tirelessly every day to end human trafficking and forced labor. Organizations like Polaris and Not For Sale greatly need your assistance. You can donate, volunteer, or even take an internship or a job for an organization like this to ensure that the approximated 20 to 30 million slaves in the world today can have a better tomorrow, and hopefully, one day, find freedom.