Frequently Asked Questions

The federal government defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain a commercial sex act or other labor. It is often referred to as "modern slavery," as it is the exploitation of another person for personal profit. 

Trafficking happens in every community, in every state. It is estimated that 35 billion dollars is generated by sex trafficking in the United States every year. That is more than one third of the global profit of 99 billion dollars. (this number is for sex trafficking alone, it does not include the profits from labor trafficking)

Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 50 million people are current victims of human trafficking. 

- Trafficking only happens in other countries.

- Only women are trafficked. 

- Victims are only poor people. 

- Traffickers are strangers who kidnap their victims and keep them locked up. 

- Only men are traffickers. 

- Human trafficking only occurs for sexual purposes. 

- Trafficking is the same as human smuggling.

- You have to cross a border to count as trafficking. 

- If I saw a trafficking victim, I would know. 

- Labor trafficking only occurs in illegal/underground industries.

These statements are all FALSE. 

There are some common indicators of human trafficking. Has the person been forced to perform sex acts for the benefit of another person? This can include photos, videos, or live streaming. Have they been cut off from their family and friends, only allowed to communicate with one person who seems to be controlling them? Have they ever been forced to work for no pay, or had their pay held by someone else? Are they made to live with their employer or other workers? 

These are just a few signs of trafficking. If you suspect you or someone you know might be a survivor, please reach out when you are safely able. 

Yes. We are here to serve all survivors, whether men, women, or nonbinary. 

Lotus Foundation will assist any and all survivors of human trafficking, regardless of age. However, if a survivor is aged 14 or under, confidentiality rules do not apply to their parent/guardian. Advocates will be required to share any information that the parent/guardian requests. This can make things complicated when the parent/guardian is actually the unsafe person in the survivor's life. For this reason, we are very open about this requirement, and typically work with ages 15+.

At this time, Lotus Foundation does not have a shelter, but it is something we are working toward! 

There is zero charge for anything that we offer. 

We are a completely confidential organization. We will never tell anyone who we are working with or any of your information. If there is a reason why we would need to talk to a person or agency with you or on your behalf, a legal release of information would be obtained first. Such releases are completely voluntary and taken situation by situation. 

EXCEPTION: The advocates at Lotus Foundation are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. If you mention anything to us that falls within that realm, we are legally required by the state of Colorado to report the information. 

Colorado's Address Confidentiality Program is a statewide service provided for free to survivors or domestic or sexual abuse and stalking. Enrollment must be completed with a certified Application Assistant. (Lotus Foundation does have certified Application Assistants on staff) Upon enrollment, the survivor is given an alternate address to use for first class mail and other government filings (voter registration, drivers license, etc) and the ACP will forward that mail to the survivor's actual address. This prevents the true address from being public knowledge, helping the survivor's location remain a secret. 

We are unable to give legal advice. We are unable to to provide mental health services. We are unable to provide housing or shelter. We are unable to give medical advice. 

However, we CAN help direct you to other resources for those needs. 

Yes! Lotus Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations made to Lotus Foundation are tax deductible when you file next year. Our federal ID # is 37-2097793.