Norwich - Many people wouldn't think that human trafficking for sexual exploitation or slavery-like labor happens in Connecticut, but Leonela Cruz-Ahuatl, of the International Institute of Connecticut, gave a possible scenario Friday: A skilled masseuse from Russia hears about a job at a massage parlor in Bridgeport; the woman is forced to have sex, is threatened with death if she leaves - and has no access to her money.

The woman is a victim of human trafficking for several reasons, said Cruz-Ahuatl: She was deceived into doing a different job than she was promised, she is being threatened with violence, and she is being deprived of her livelihood.

And, she said, the reality is that it does happen here, and those who work with the most vulnerable need to be aware of the signs and know how to respond to victims. She spoke Friday to an audience of educators, health care and social service providers and law enforcement at Norwich Adult Education, where many newly arrived people go to learn English and life skills.

Cruz-Ahuatl works for the International Institute of Connecticut, described on its website as "a nonprofit, non-sectarian agency dedicated to helping foreign-born persons achieve self-sufficiency." The agency helps with refugee resettlement, basic needs, English classes, job training and placement, counseling, translation and interpretation services, and legal assistance.

She is the program manager of Project Rescue, which helps identify and provide resources to victims of human trafficking.

"Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings," Cruz-Ahuatl said. "After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with the illegal sale of arms as the second-largest criminal enterprise in the world. It's highly profitable because you can use the victim over and over again, and there is relatively low risk because the victims are hard to find."

Sex trafficking alone in the United States generates $9.5 billion a year, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Worldwide it is a $32.5 billion industry.

Cruz-Ahuatl said many victims don't seek help because they are not in the country legally or because they or their families have been threatened with physical harm.

In southeastern Connecticut, she said, most victims of human trafficking can be found in restaurants, farms, nail salons or in domestic servitude.

She told those in attendance to be on the lookout for "red flags," such as whether the victim's wage is being garnished or way below minimum wage.

"Has their passport or other legal document been taken away in order to make the person feel trapped?" said Cruz-Ahuatl. "Control of movement and isolation is another common sign that the person may be a victim of human trafficking."

According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, the center in 2014 received reports of 24 human trafficking cases for Connecticut. Since it started in 2006, Project Rescue has helped 94 clients.

Cruz-Ahuatl said the exact number of victims in human trafficking in Connecticut is not known because there isn't a centralized reporting system in the state. Her organization has recommended that the General Assembly provide for the creation of such a database.

She told the group there is immigration relief for survivors of human trafficking in the form of several different types of visas that allow them to stay in the country legally. While the process takes a long time, she said, it does give the victim a sense of security and relief from the fear of being deported.

She said anyone who suspects that someone is a victim of human trafficking and in immediate danger should call police. Suspected cases can be reported to the National Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888, the state Department of Children and Families if the victim is a minor at (800) 842-2288 or the International Institute of Connecticut at (203) 336-0141.

"What we ask is that you don't directly engage because that can put you and the victim in danger," she said. "There are resources available to help."

i.larraneta@theday.com

Twitter: @larraneta

Human trafficking reports in Connecticut

Reports in 2014 to the National Human Trafficking Resource CenterSex trafficking: 18Labor trafficking: 4Combination: 2

Project Rescue cases since 2006: 94Sex trafficking: 26Labor trafficking: 52Combination: 8Help to families of victims: 8Source: Project Rescue