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WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Chances are that there’s going to be nothing visible and nothing you can see from across the room, or even up close, that should alert you to a stranger being a victim of human trafficking. For many years, the anti-trafficking field has focused on “indicators” or “signs” in order to help the public understand that sex trafficking is happening right here in the United States and that they can be a part of the solution.
If you see something, say something. Your awareness and willingness to see what too often goes unseen may make all the difference in a human trafficking situation. Calling the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 is anonymous and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Context is key to being able to understand if what you are seeing is sex and/or labor trafficking. Those who work in certain industries, for example, may be more likely to spot signs of trafficking that are specific to the way that industry operates.
Healthcare
Research shows that the majority of human trafficking survivors had some contact with the health care system during the time they were being exploited. That means healthcare providers are often in the position to recognize that something is wrong and can take steps to provide support. Potential red flags specific to a healthcare setting may include:
A patient with reproductive or sexual health concerns and/or potential signs of sexual violence and reporting an unusually high number of partners
A patient with work-related injuries reporting that health and safety gear were not provided or that conditions were otherwise unsafe
A patient is unwilling or hesitant to answer questions about the injury or illness
A patient is accompanied by an individual who does not let them speak for themselves, refuses to let the patient have privacy or who interprets for them
Learn More: Dignity Health – Taking a Stand Against Human Trafficking
Hotels & Motels
Hotels and motels are common venues for both sex work and sex trafficking, and it can be difficult to distinguish between the two, which is why it is important that concerns about potential trafficking be reported to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline rather than directly to law enforcement, which could lead to arrests. Labor trafficking also takes place where contract workers such as housekeepers may be exploited. Hotels and motels are also common venues for traveling sales crews to house trafficked workers. Potential indicators of sex and/or labor trafficking in these settings include:
Individuals who lack freedom of movement or are constantly monitored
Individuals who dress inappropriately for their age or have lower-quality clothing compared to others in the party
Someone who is dropped off and visits for only 30 minutes to one hour, or someone waits for that person on property or in the parking lot
Someone who requests room service or housekeeping services but denies staff’s entry into room
Excessive amounts of sex paraphernalia in rooms (condoms, lubricant, lotion, etc.)
Learn More: The Dept. of Homeland Security Blue Campaign – Hospitality Toolkit (PDF)
National Human Trafficking Hotline - Cases Occurring in Hotels and Motels
Familial Trafficking
Educators and social services professionals may be in a good position to learn about trafficking situations and help connect victims to services. At least one international study found that almost 50% of identified child trafficking cases globally began with the involvement of a family member. Victims are sold for sex or forced to work in family businesses. Familial trafficking often goes undetected. While familial trafficking can and does happen in families that appear entirely “functional” or “normal” to an outsider, there may also be signs of other kinds of child abuse or neglect, which may, in fact, include trafficking. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers information about recognizing child abuse more generally.
Learn More: IOM: UN Migration - Counter-Trafficking Data Brief on Familial Involvement (PDF)
Agriculture, Forestry & Construction
The majority of labor trafficking cases reported to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline involve immigrants, many of whom are in the United States on legal temporary work visas, some of which require that employers provide housing. In general, housing and similar living/working conditions may be the best indications available that something is not right in the workplace. Examples might include:
Workers living in too-close quarters, such as too many people in a single-bedroom apartment who all work in a particular restaurant or store
Workers living in and/or sleeping at construction sites
Workers living in unsanitary conditions, such as on a school bus with no running water in a farm labor situation
Learn More: Polaris Project - Data Analysis on Trafficking on Temporary Work Visas (PDF)
Trucking
Sex traffickers often set up shop in and around truck stops in hopes of capitalizing on a potential customer base. Truckers Against Trafficking offers in-depth trainings for trucking personnel and, more recently, for professionals in the bussing industry.
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