### Question
How does PEONAGE, SLAVERY, AND TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS define serious harm?


### Answer
Under *18 U.S.C. § 1591*, **serious harm** is defined as:

> any harm, whether physical or nonphysical, including psychological, financial, or reputational harm, that is sufficiently serious, under all the surrounding circumstances, to compel a reasonable person of the same background and in the same circumstances to perform or to continue performing commercial sexual activity in order to avoid incurring that harm

#### Citation:
  - *18 U.S.C. § 1591*
  - Heading: **PART I-CRIMES > CHAPTER 77-PEONAGE, SLAVERY, AND TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS**

