Hidden in Plain Sight

"An intellectually rigorous and emotionally affecting account of modern enslavement."  —Kirkus Reviews 

"Hidden in Plain Sight  is a vital resource, not only for anti-human trafficking advocates, but for anyone who cares about humanity. Dr. Mehlman-Orozco's interviews with the traffickers are shocking, but they provide insight that can be used when trying to combat this horrific crime. Our organization will be implementing this book into our Advanced Law Enforcement Investigation Course. The material is presented in such a compelling and understandable way that this book will certainly be a powerful contribution to understanding the fastest growing crime in the world." —(Sandra Sparks, Executive Director, ERASE Child Trafficking)  

"By carefully documenting the realities of human trafficking and the failures of prevention and enforcement, this eye-opening book is the antidote to every hyped scare story and pointless policy 'solution.' Knowledge is more than power ― it is our obligation if we truly want to help the most vulnerable victims of sexual and labor slavery." —(Mark Obbie, Criminal Justice Journalist; Soros Justice Media Fellow; and Former Executive Editor of The American Lawyer  Magazine)  

"Hidden in Plain Sight  reveals the diverse and disturbing manifestations of human trafficking in the United States. Using accessible language and clear illustrations, Mehlman-Orozco illuminates the complexity and tragic dimensions of human trafficking. Based on her own research, this work helps us see a phenomenon that many traffickers prefer we do not notice. The work should be eye-opening to its readers." —(Louise Shelley, Omer L. and Nancy Hirst Chair and Director, Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC), Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, and author of  Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective )  

"A clear and easily digestible primer on human trafficking. Calling upon insights from traffickers, victims, and customers, Kim Mehlman-Orozco details the diverse exploitive models and highlights a hopeful pathway to stop traffickers by vigorously enforcing the law." —(John Cotton Richmond, Former Federal Human Trafficking Prosecutor and Founding Director of the Human Trafficking Institute, McLean, Virginia)  

"Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco has written an absorbing―and sometimes horrifying―account of a crime that most Americans consider remote from their daily lives, but reaches into every family and neighborhood. It's a wake-up call to action." —(Stephen Handelman, Editor,  The Crime Report )  

"Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco's book absolutely delivers on its promise to provide an honest, revealing glimpse behind the hidden world of modern slavery in the USA. Within the first five pages, I was hooked―I couldn't put it down. While many books on this topic tend to be filled with clichés and unsubstantiated nuances, Mehlman-Orozco offers detailed stories and evidence-based descriptions that help to offer clarity and an understanding of this often-misunderstood topic. Even after addressing this issue for over 27 years, I walked away with many new insights that significantly changed some of my existing views. For those who are seeking a book that truly captures the essence of this important issue, along with a thoughtful and compelling analysis, this is a must-read." —(Matt S. Friedman, CEO, The Mekong Club)  

"Hidden in Plain Sight  is a compelling account of human trafficking, analyzed from a social scientist's perspective with a journalist's tenacity and attention to detail. Mehlman-Orozco's narrative vividly documents and describes the various actors and their interactions at the core of the problem of human trafficking today; what really stands out is the author's first-hand experiences coming face-to-face with traffickers, victims, and those who struggle, often unsuccessfully or counterproductively, to find solutions to these problems." —(Ric Curtis, Professor of Anthropology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York)