Identifying Human Trafficking In Your Community
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Human trafficking continues to grow globally, exploiting new people every day, even in your own communities. Awareness of human trafficking indicators and how to report them is critical for getting victims to safety quickly and helping law enforcement prevent more trafficking. No matter your knowledge of this issue, we encourage everyone to review human trafficking prevention information. It’s only by working together that we can bring to an end this horrible crime.
Human trafficking is the second most common criminal activity worldwide, as it takes many forms and affects all types of people. The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking states that human trafficking involves the commercial exchange and exploitation of humans, including forced sexual acts, involuntary labor, servitude and debt bondage. Men, women and children from any race, socioeconomic group or nationality can be affected.
Traffickers can be anyone, even those close to the victim, such as romantic partners, family members, authority figures or friends. By developing close relationships with victims or using their position of power, criminals trick, defraud, manipulate or threaten victims into commercial or sexual exploitative labor. Examples of labor traffickers include employers who refuse to provide signed contracts, require fees for job opportunities or offer vague details about a job that involves relocation. Sex traffickers often build trust through gifts and money, isolate victims from loved ones or encourage them to run away. Victims in these situations may be afraid to leave because someone is controlling them or they don’t have the resources needed to go. Criminals who traffic humans have many ways of taking advantage of the vulnerable, so learning trafficker tactics is essential to protecting yourself and others.
Recognizing the signs of victims can save lives. They often display physical, social, behavioral and emotional signs. It’s important to note, that t<span data-buffer="“>hese are common signs of human trafficking; however, they are not proof or present in every human trafficking situation.
Physical Indicators
Evidence of violence, untreated wounds, exhaustion, malnourishment, addictions or even branding are all physical signs of human trafficking.
Social Indicators
Social signs may involve being accompanied by a controlling person, isolation from loved ones, little to no personal possessions, severe underpayment, no control of their own money and lack of personal documents and identification.
Behavioral Indicators
Behavioral signs include submissive and nervous actions, avoiding eye contact, fear of law enforcement and not being allowed to speak for themselves.
Emotional Indicators
Emotional signs can manifest as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and a refusal to identify as a victim.
An additional step everyone can take to reduce human trafficking and get victims to resources quickly is speaking up when they suspect potential trafficking activity. PSO encourages adding the National Human Trafficking Hotline to your contacts. The hotline is toll-free, available at all times and in over 200 languages. You can reach the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888, texting “BEFREE” (233733) or visiting www.HumanTraffickingHotline.org. All information provided is confidential and reporters can remain anonymous. Never get directly involved in suspected trafficking activity; instead, report it immediately.
Share this information with your loved ones to help spread awareness and reduce human trafficking in your communities. Together, we can make a difference.
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