What are human trafficking warning signs?

Although the best estimates currently indicate that around 50 million people are being trafficked globally, that number is likely not completely accurate because human trafficking warning signs are often subtle and hard to spot. Human trafficking is a complex crime that usually occurs in situations that seem harmless on the surface. 

Learning all of the potential red flags that might indicate trafficking gives us a better chance at recognizing this hidden reality. None of these warning signs should be considered foolproof; sometimes, even if multiple signs are present, something other than trafficking could be occurring. These indicators should be considered as reasons for pause and consideration of what is actually occurring.

There are three major categories of trafficking recognized by the International Labour Organization: labor trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and forced marriage. 

There may be overlap between these categories. Commercial sexual exploitation could be considered a subset of labor trafficking since it exists within a business model, and forced marriage is closely related to sex trafficking given that it is an exploitive sexual relationship. At times, elements of all three crimes might be present — such as if a minor girl is sold to an older man as a bride, and he then forces her to both perform domestic labor and provide sexual services to his friends. 

There are a few common factors that could indicate any kind of trafficking. Those signs include:

• A child or teenager constantly being accompanied by an older individual or seemingly wealthy individual who speaks and makes decisions for them
• Sudden dramatic changes in behavior, such as an outgoing person becoming withdrawn
• Lack of access to identifying documents, such as an I.D. or passport
• A monetary situation that seems out of place, such as someone having sudden influxes of cash or expensive possessions despite not having obvious employment 
• Unexplained injuries or appearing perpetually malnourished and sleep-deprived 
• Stories about what they were doing or where they were do not match up 
• Consistently hanging out with a revolving door of “friends” that seem incongruous, such as people who are from very different ages and social classes
• Tattoos or brands that the person seems hesitant to talk about
• Seeming fearful and flinching at loud noises or sudden movements, resisting making eye contact or answering questions 
• Only ever seen in one place and seems nervous about leaving that location 
• An extreme lack of trust and skittishness in relationships
• Asking permission before doing basic things like using the restroom or getting a drink of water — or not asking at all for their basic needs to be met
• Displaying intense shame or self-loathing, including self-injurious behavior or talk of suicide

Commercial sexual exploitation is the rarest form of human trafficking — however, it is still happening in every country in the world and every state in the U.S.A. Notably, any place where a child under 18 is being pressured to offer sexual acts in exchange for goods, services, or a benefit of any kind to another person, it is considered to be sex trafficking per the United Nations’ definition. This means that there is no such thing as a child prostitute or child pornography. Both are actually sex trafficking (when online, it may also be called OSEC, or Online Exploitation of Children). 

Adults of any gender can also be trafficked for sex. Any time someone is compelled through force, fraud, or coercion to perform sexual services for the benefit of another person, it is considered sex trafficking. It can be more difficult to recognize and prove when it is an adult since the extent of their consent can be difficult to distinguish under layers of manipulation and abuse. 

Here are some warning signs that someone might be trafficked for sex:

• They have a much older boyfriend or girlfriend who might seem controlling or constantly present in their life
• Their social media posts suddenly include suggestive content
• Clothing that is overly sexualized or revealing, even if the weather is cold
• An individual has multiple phones or social media profiles
• Secretive behavior around friends and romantic partners
• They work long hours in a bar or massage parlor that does not seem reputable
• Operating on a nocturnal schedule and deeply tired during the day
• Often seen in public with a wide variety of older partners

Labor trafficking represents approximately 43% of all human trafficking cases in the world right now. Despite being deeply underrepresented in prosecution, public awareness, and governmental response, it is a global and continually evolving criminal marketplace. Common sectors where labor trafficking occurs include agriculture, domestic work, hospitality, manufacturing, and scamming.

These signs might indicate that a person is being trafficked for labor:

• Sleeping and working in the same location without ever leaving
• Intense fear and distrust of authorities
• Working excessively long hours without breaks
• Continuing to work despite being injured on the job
• An employee in a workplace is forbidden from talking to customers 
• A worker from another country in a job where they don’t speak the language and have no access to translation services 
• Lack of appropriate protective equipment on the job
• A child is working a job intended for adults 
• Lack of appropriate documentation of their job arrangement, or paid “under the table”

Anytime someone under the age of 18 is getting married, it should raise red flags. Although this is widely legal with parental consent (child marriage is legal in 38 of the 50 U.S. states, for example), that does not make it ethical or safe. Often, parental consent can actually be parental control. 

Deeply engrained cultural norms continue to be the greatest source of risk for forced marriage. Although countries like Colombia have made progress in recent years, countries like Iraq are reverting to the tradition of arranged marriages for girls. 

Especially when engaging with rural communities or deeply traditional religious groups, here are some concerns to watch for:

• Spouses who have never met prior to their wedding day
• A spouse is rarely seen outside the house
• Excessive expectation of domestic labor 
• One or both of the partners’ families received financial or material gain from the marriage 
• A significant age gap between partners
• One spouse has no access to finances or identifying documents

If you observe warning signs of any type of human trafficking, you should immediately contact authorities. Do not try to handle the situation on your own. If someone seems to be in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department. 

When the situation does not include immediate clear danger, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline in the U.S. by calling 1-888-373-7888, texting 233733, or chatting on their website at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/get-help.

The U.S. Department of State also has additional hotlines available for specific needs.

One of the most essential ways to respond to warning signs is by gathering as much information as possible. Document everything: license plates, descriptions of people involved, screencaps of online interactions, and even audio or video recordings if appropriate. All of this information will help authorities assess the threat level.

Finally, if you see red flags, you can help by establishing yourself as a safe person for the individual who might be experiencing trafficking. Very often, exploitation only ends when the survivor reaches a point where they understand what is happening to them and see a way out. Through establishing human connections and relationships where possible, you could be a part of that process for them.