While there’s not a definitive set of indicators typical to every case, there are a variety of signs that, when combined, can signal the presence of trafficking. When you encounter a situation or interaction that seems suspicious or unusual, you’ll be equipped to identify potential trafficking situations and report them to the appropriate authorities.
People who are being trafficked often have signs of physical abuse. These can include both fresh and healing bruises (indicative of ongoing abuse), as well as other injuries such as broken bones, cuts, and wounds. They may be unwilling or afraid to answer questions about the circumstances surrounding their injuries, and they may not have received proper care.
You might notice signs of sleep deprivation or malnourishment in a potential victim. Traffickers often make every decision for victims, down to the smallest details like food and sleep.
Trafficking victims sometimes have markings on their skin, like tattoos or brands to signal a trafficker’s ownership. But additional trafficking signs can be visible on the skin.
One study found that branding, tattoos, and skin rashes were associated with individuals who had been sex trafficked. On the other hand, victims of forced labor tended to have deep lacerations, injuries, and burns. (Keep in mind that labor trafficking and sex trafficking signs often overlap.)
Women and children being sex trafficked may not be wearing appropriate clothing for travel, their location, or the current weather conditions. They likely own few articles of clothing, so they lack options regardless of where they live or work.
Untreated illness and medical neglect can also be signs of human trafficking. They may obviously need medical or dental care. Sometimes, victims present with severe infectious diseases that haven’t been properly diagnosed or treated, such as hepatitis or STIs. They may be dehydrated, malnourished, or living with serious undiagnosed or untreated health conditions.
Trafficking victims are often visibly submissive, fearful, and anxious. They may display these behaviors in the presence of their traffickers, as well as people outside the trafficker’s sphere of influence. You may notice an intense fear of police or immigration authorities, and a reluctance or inability to disclose information about living and working conditions, the people they’re associated with, or personal details.
Victims of trafficking aren’t free to communicate or move about independently. You may see them accompanied by an escort, guardian, “sponsor,” or a much older romantic partner. They aren’t allowed to make independent decisions and sometimes can’t even leave their workplace.
When attempting to communicate with victims, you may notice that their escort or partner speaks for them. They aren’t allowed to speak freely. What’s more, they’re often reluctant to speak and will defer to the other person. Sometimes, this behavior arises out of a trauma bond with their trafficker; some victims are attached to their traffickers and may even love them.
Isolation and secrecy are essential for traffickers to maintain control. Victims may be standoffish, only sticking to their trafficker or the other victims in their group. They may not speak the local language.
The group of trafficked victims might be made up of people who all speak different languages; therefore, the language barriers among them prevent them from communicating with one another, too. This allows traffickers to maintain the isolation required to continue their operations.
Trafficking victims often aren’t allowed to carry cash of their own. Sometimes, they may use gift cards or prepaid cards to make purchases. They may also have few personal possessions, which is particularly noticeable when they’re traveling.
A victim’s living conditions may indicate possible trafficking. They may have inadequate housing, unstable living conditions, or may even live in their place of work. Victims may live in fear of losing what housing they do have, which keeps them compliant to traffickers’ orders.
Traffickers control their victims through debt manipulation, and victims may believe they owe the trafficker an exorbitant amount of money before they can be free. They may indicate they have to work off a debt they owe their sponsor for bringing them to their current location or giving them a job.
In reality, traffickers use the concept of debt to scare victims, threatening lawsuits and harm to third parties if they don’t pay back their debt. The debts are manipulated in such a way that they will never be paid. Victims feel trapped and continue participating in forced labor out of fear.
Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal enterprise on earth, netting an estimated $236 billion a year in profit (approximately $27,252 per victim annually). More than 27.6 million women, men, and children around the world are trafficked every day. The problem is pervasive worldwide, and it’s bigger than ever before.
Traffickers’ operations are strategic and highly organized. They’re able to successfully traffic victims because:
If you’ve spotted the signs of human trafficking, contact local law enforcement or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline. If you’re outside the United States, your local and national authorities have official methods and channels for reporting. Don’t try to intervene, get involved, or approach traffickers or victims yourself. Let the appropriate authorities handle the situation.
The best way you can get involved in the fight against human trafficking is to join Team Freedom. Your monthly donation funds the Atlas Free Network—and your money goes right where it’s needed most, at the right time. The Network prevents trafficking, supports survivors, and prosecutes perpetrators.
We attack trafficking from every angle, and no one fights alone. Your $20 monthly donation helps free an average of 8 people every 24 hours. Fund the fight here.
