Indicators of Human Trafficking
- Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
- Is the person unable to leave their work environment or cannot quit to find a new job?
- Is the person in control of their wages, money or finances?
- Is the person working excessively long hours or under unsafe conditions?
- Does the person owe money to an employer or another whom they feel required to repay?
- Has a child stopped attending school or is running away from home?
- Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
- Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
- Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or emotional abuse?
- Does the person show signs of physical abuse or injury?
- Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
- Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
- Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
- Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
- Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
- Does the person seem oriented to their environment or confused about where they are or the neighborhood in which they may be living or may have been located?
- Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
- Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
- If traveling, does the person appear to have appropriate possessions for destination and length of travel?
- Is the person in possession of their personal documents such as Photo ID, passport, social security card, etc.
Please understand that it is impossible to provide an exhaustive and definitive list of indicators of trafficking. Presence of one or more of the indicators above does not necessarily mean the individual is being trafficked but is a red flag that additional information should be gathered or contacting an anti-human trafficking organization or law enforcement may be beneficial. Absence of any of these indicators also does not mean the individual is not being trafficked. If you suspect an individual is in danger and you are able to safely gather additional information or refer them to an anti-HT organization or law enforcement, please do so.