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warning signs of human trafficking what you can do to help become a voice
Warning Signs of Human Trafficking
WARNING SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP BECOME A VOICE
Since human trafficking is often a crime that is hidden in plain sight, it is important to be aware of its warning signs. Some indications that a person may be a victim of human trafficking include (especially in the case of women and children):
- Appearing malnourished
- Showing signs of physical injuries and abuse
- Avoiding eye contact, social interaction, and authority figures/law enforcement
- Seeming to adhere to scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction
- Lacking official identification documents
- Appearing destitute/lacking personal possessions
- Working excessively long hours
- Living at place of employment
- Checking into hotels/motels with older males, and referring to those males as boyfriend or “daddy,” which is often street slang for pimp
- Poor physical or dental health
- Tattoos/ branding on the neck and/or lower back
- Untreated sexually transmitted diseases
- Small children serving in a family restaurant
- Security measures that appear to keep people inside an establishment - barbed wire inside of a fence, bars covering the insides of windows
- Not allowing people to go into public alone, or speak for themselves
These warning signs are adapted from information provided by the Polaris Project and its National Human Trafficking Resource Center
To report suspected human trafficking to Federal law enforcement:1-866-347-2423To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:1-888-373-7888or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
September 2022
What is Human Trafficking
What is Human Trafficking? 09/13/2022
Human trafficking is often a hidden crime. Every year, human trafficking victims across the U.S. go unnoticed because we don’t always recognize the crime when we see it. Knowing what to be aware of can help bring victims out of the shadows and save their lives. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. It exists in two primary forms: sex trafficking and forced labor. Regardless of which form it takes, human trafficking involves exploitation and profit at the expense of an individual. It is a crime that generates billions of dollars a year and affects millions of people globally.
Though human trafficking is a wide-ranging problem, you can play an important role in combating it. Blue Campaign provides a variety of awareness resources. Below are just a few:
- Learn more about human trafficking
- Downloadable and printable human trafficking indicator cards
- Myths and misconceptions about human trafficking
- Learn more about forced labor
- Online training courses
You could help save a life. If you suspect human trafficking, report it. Make sure to save the following reporting numbers to your phone:
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
- Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line: 1-866-347-2423