These SIGNS can indicate that someone is being trafficked.
PLEASE NOTE: If you suspect anything, DO NOT confront the situation/people! Call your National Human Trafficking Numbers and let the professionals deal with the situation!
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OVERALL
- Commercial (Money-making) Sex Acts under the age of 18
- Bonded in Debt – work to pay of a debt
- Forced / Child Marriages
BODY
- Tattoos (branding displaying the ownership of the trafficker)
- Physical signs of abuse
- Hunger, malnourishment
- Inappropriate dress
- Signs of Drug Abuse
- Sudden change in attire (clothing), behaviour (how they act) & possessions
- “Boyfriend” / “Girlfriend” who is noticeably older and/or controlling
ACTIONS
- Don’t speak for themselves
- Coached / Rehearsed responses to questions
- Makes no eye contact
- Not free to go / leave by themselves
- Do not control their own money
- Living in Fear
- Has a pimp
- Work excessively long / unusual hours
- Not allowed breaks / unusual restrictions
- Psychological issues (Mental problems)
- Frequently running away from home
- Inability to attend school on a regular basis / unexplained absences
- References made to frequent travel to other cities
- Withdrawn behaviour, depression, anxiety & fear
- Uncharacteristic promiscuity (wanton/ immoral behaviour) / references to sexual situations / terminology (vocabulary) beyond age-appropriate norms
- Symptoms of anger, panic, phobia (terror), irritability (touchiness), frequent crying, temper tantrums, clinging behaviour
- Symptoms of daydreaming, inability to bond with others, inattentive, forgetfulness and/or shyness
- Checking in at a hotel with no luggage or sneaking into a hotel through a side door
