IntroductionHuman trafficking is an expression used to describe the various ways in which a person "obtains or holds another person in forced service" (U.S. Department of State, 2011, p. 9). There are several categories of human trafficking, such as forced labor, sex trafficking, and bonded or debt labor. Human trafficking can affect adults and children, and child sex trafficking is particularly serious (p. 9-11). Human trafficking often goes unnoticed and victims often blame themselves for their problems and are therefore unlikely to report themselves personally (Office for Victims of Crime, n.d.). While many may think this is a third world problem, human trafficking occurs in every country in the world, including the United States. It is believed that between 600,000 and 800,000 victims of human trafficking cross national borders each year, and approximately 15,000 of them are brought into the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004). Countries are classified in a tiered system by the State Department, with Tier 1 countries being the most proactive in recognizing, preventing and prosecuting these crimes and are required to report the number of incidents annually. In 2010, Tier 1 countries reported a total of 6,017 human trafficking prosecutions, of which 3,619 resulted in convictions. But more importantly, Tier 1 countries identified a staggering 33,113 victims of human trafficking during that same year (U.S. Department of State, 2011, p. 38). Myths and Misconceptions The public has a number of misconceptions about human trafficking crimes that can hinder discovery. Many people believe that only foreigners can be victims of this crime, but in truth anyone, of any nationality......paper center......Victims of crime. (n.d.). Electronic Guide to the Strategy and Operations of the Human Trafficking Task Force. Retrieved from https://www.ovcttac.gov/TaskForceGuide/EGuide/Default.aspx.Polaris Project. (2006). Common Myths and Misconceptions About Human Trafficking in the United States Retrieved from http://ccatcoalition.site.aplus.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/common-myths-and-misconceptions.pdf.U.S. Department of health and human services. (2004). Fact sheet on human trafficking. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/fact_human2004.pdf. United States Department of State. (2011, June). Trafficking in Persons Report: Introductory Manual. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/index.htm.Warren, V. (2008, October 30). Nude photos and massages lead to charges. Dayton Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-19414528.html.