How to help counter human trafficking and exploitation

Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime that companies, governments, and individuals can help to combat together. We strictly prohibit trafficking and exploitation in all its forms and take appropriate action against anyone using our platform to engage in or facilitate these activities. Relatedly, we also prohibit sex work and solicitation (even in locations where it is legal), in part because of the challenges in distinguishing between sex work and sex trafficking or exploitation.

As a member of our community, you also play an important role. This article aims to help you better understand human trafficking and exploitation and how best to report a concern.

Understanding human trafficking and exploitation

Human trafficking generally refers to when an individual engages in or facilitates the exploitation of another person, typically through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. This includes but is not limited to sex trafficking and forced labor.

• Child sexual exploitation includes the trafficking of minors and any instance when an individual or group forces, manipulates, entices, or otherwise engages in sexual activity with someone under 18 years old, regardless of local laws.

Our partners at Polaris provide information to help identify signs that may warrant reporting. The examples below are not definitive and should not be used to determine whether trafficking is occurring but rather when to document and report a potential concern.

• Signs of coercion - When an individual appears to:
  • be unable to leave a situation freely or safely
  • lack control over their money, personal belongings, or identifying documents (ex: passport, driver’s license)
  • be closely monitored or controlled by another person
• Signs of abuse - When an individual appears to:
  • be subject to actual or threatened violence or physical restraint
  • display signs of persistent fear, distress, extremely poor hygiene, or malnourishment
  • be involved in sexual activity or contact with a child
• Signs of deception - When an individual:
  • presents information during check in that doesn’t match the reservation details (ex: guest checking in is not the booking guest)
  • there are inconsistent statements about relationships or the purposes of visits (ex: inconsistent statements regarding children or visitors coming into a listing)

Steps you can take

Specific steps you can take to help reduce the risk of trafficking and exploitation may include:

• Educate yourself and any co-hosts or staff, if applicable. Polaris and ECPAT International are expert organizations we partner with to help counter trafficking and child exploitation. Both offer free online training courses, which can be found at the links below:
  • Polaris: Human Trafficking 101
  • ECPAT International: Child Protection Course for Hosts of Accommodation Booking Platforms
• If you see something, say something. While reported instances of trafficking and exploitation on Airbnb are rare and can be difficult to identify, if you have a concern, please err on the side of reporting it. There’s more information below on how to do this. Helpful information to share in a report may include:
  • Location of the suspected incident
  • Descriptions of individuals
  • Vehicle details or license plates
  • Specifics of the concerning behavior you observed
  • Any documentation you may have (ex: photos)

We’re here to help

If you encounter a situation that might involve human trafficking or exploitation, first make sure that you stay safe. Please don’t investigate or confront someone you suspect of wrongdoing, as this may increase risk to yourself or others.

Instead, report your concern to local law enforcement. If you’re unsure or feel uncomfortable reporting an incident to law enforcement, you can use alternative reporting channels, including those outlined below. In either case, we ask that you also report the incident to Airbnb. You can contact us 24 hours a day by chat, email, or phone. If you don’t have an Airbnb account but want to report something happening at an Airbnb listing in your community, you can contact our Neighborhood Support team.

If you’re in the US, you can use these reporting channels:

• National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7, toll-free, confidential, and can accommodate 200+ languages. The hotline can be used for consultation, resources, and reporting.
  • Phone: 1-888-373-7888
  • Text: “BeFree” to 233733
  • Live Chat: humantraffickinghotline.org/chat
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be reached via their CyberTipline or by phone at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

If you’re outside the US, you can find organizations across the globe that address the issue of human trafficking in the Global Modern Slavery Directory (GMSD).