The United States Government defines human trafficking in persons as:
"The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of persons through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. It also includes sex trafficking, and inducing a commercial sex act by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform a commercial sex act is under 18 years old.”
Human trafficking is inherently harmful, infringes on individual rights, and is contrary to the values of the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison). United States and Wisconsin laws prohibit human trafficking, sex trafficking, forced labor, and trafficking-related activities in persons (48 C.F.R. § 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons; WI 940.302, Human trafficking). Additionally, as a recipient of federal funds from grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, UW–Madison is obligated to inform its employees, agents, independent contractors, and subcontractors of the U.S. government’s policy prohibiting trafficking in persons.
This policy defines human trafficking and trafficking-related activities. Furthermore, it confirms UW–Madison’s strong opposition to all forms of human trafficking and ensures the university’s compliance with state and federal requirements.
The following definitions, and those of other relevant terms used throughout this policy can be found in the U.S. government’s implementation of 48 CFR § 52.222-50 - Combating Trafficking in Persons.
This policy applies to all UW–Madison employees, agents, and subcontractors working in university-owned or controlled facilities, as well as when working on behalf of the university in non-university facilities. For purposes of this policy, unless otherwise stated, the term “employee” includes, but is not limited to, Faculty, Academic Staff, University Staff, Limited Appointees, Temporary Employees, Graduate Assistants (Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Lecturer Student Assistants and Project/Program Assistants), Post-Degree Trainees (research interns, research associates, postdoctoral fellows, and postdoctoral trainees), student-hourly employees and other campus community members (e.g., emeritus faculty members, volunteers, etc.) working in university- owned or controlled facilities, as well as when working on behalf of the university in non-university facilities.
UW–Madison prohibits trafficking in persons. The university, its employees, agents, and subcontractors are prohibited from engaging in any of the following types of trafficking-related activities:
Pursuant to Part (h) of FAR 48 C.F.R. § 52.222-50 UW–Madison will maintain a compliance plan when the contract is for supplies, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items, acquired outside the United States, or services performed outside the United States with an estimated value that exceeds $550,000. At a minimum, the compliance plan must include the following:
The Office of Human Resources, and Research and Sponsored Programs shall jointly create, maintain, distribute, and uphold the compliance plan required when Part (h) of FAR 48 C.F.R. § 52.222-50 is applicable.
Payment or provision of transportation for an employee to return to the United States at the end of their employment under a contract or subcontract is not required if the employee is:
When contracting with the federal government, the UW-Madison principal investigator, or the person entering into the contract of behalf of UW-Madison or their designee shall:
UW–Madison prohibits retaliation against any individual who makes a good faith report of suspected wrongful conduct pursuant to this policy or related federal or state policies.
Employees, agents, or subcontractors who fail to comply with this policy or relevant federal or state law will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by UW–Madison including, but not limited to, removal from the contract, termination, or other disciplinary action pursuant to federal and state contracting regulations. UW-Madison must inform the federal Contracting Officer and Inspector General of any credible information, from any source, that alleges an employee, agent, or subcontractor has engaged in conduct that violates the 10 prohibited actions outlined above.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Office of Workforce Relations, Office of Human Resources:
Call: 608-265-2257
Email: wr@ohr.wisc.edu
UW–Madison Police Department:
Call: 608-264-2677
Email: police@uwpd.wisc.edu
Global Human Trafficking Hotline:
Call:1-844-888-FREE
Email: help@befree.org
National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC):
Call: 1-888-373-7888
Text: 233733
Chat: www.humantraffickinghotline.orf/chat
TTY: 711
Email: help@humantraffickinghotline.org
Reporting Form
To read more about the U.S. government policy applicable to individuals working on grants and cooperative agreements, please review 22 U.S.C. §7104(g) and 2 CFR §175.15. To read more about the U.S. government policy applicable to individuals working on a federal contract, please review 48 CFR 52.222-50.
48 C.F.R. § 22.17 – Combating Trafficking in Persons
48 C.F.R. § 52.222-50 - Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021)
48 C.F.R. § 52.222-56 – Certification Regarding Trafficking in Persons Compliance Plan
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Human Trafficking Laws & Regulations
Wis. Stat. § 940.302 - Human trafficking
Wisconsin Human Trafficking Statutes
Wisconsin Department of Justice – Human Trafficking
Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking
UW System Administrative Procedure 304.A Fiscal Misconduct: Reporting and Review Process