INDICATORS OR WARNING SIGNS
Human Trafficking “Warning Signs” for the General Public. If you come in contact with anyone exhibiting one or more of the following indicators, they may be a victim of human trafficking.
- Chronic runaway/truant/homeless youth
- Was recovered alone from a hotel or off the street
- Admits to exchanging sex for ANYTHING of value (money, drugs, shelter)
- Excessive amounts of cash
- Goods or services they cannot afford (expensive shoes, manicure, etc.)
- Carries multiple hotel keys and/or cell phones
- Lies about age, has no ID, has no control of ID/other important documents, or has false documents
- Branding/tattoo (name, numbers, dollar signs, emblems @ neck, chest, fingers, lower back)
- Lack of knowledge about where they are or why
- Physical injuries or bruises in various stages of healing
- Scares, mutilations, or infections
- Signs of drug abuse or symptoms of drug withdrawal
- Appearance of malnutrition/dehydration
- Fearful or submissive (may not make eye contact, not speaking, looks at others before answering)
- Signs of psychological trauma and abuse: hypervigilance anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, panic attacks, or lack of emotion (flat effect), dissociation, unexplained memory loss, unwarranted paranoia/fear
- Typically has someone with them at all times; is not allowed or is unable to speak for themselves
- Traffickers use social media to recruit and solicit