Victims of trafficking are not a homogenous group of people. Victims are men, women and children. Some enter the country legally on worker visas or illegally using fraudulent documents. Traffickers subject their victims to debt-bondage, an illegal practice in which traffickers tell their victims they owe absorbent amounts of money (often relating to the victim's living expenses and transport into the country) and that they must work to pay off the debt. Victims face numerous health issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other physical and psychological illnesses result of their being held in slavery.
To help with the identification of possible trafficking victims as well as trafficking situations, various indicators have been identified. Hopefully, this information will be helpful to educate individuals regarding what identifiers to look for in trafficking victims, as well as trafficking situations. If you are aware of any human trafficking situations or victims and want to report it, please call 1 800 655 4095. All calls are confidential and all referrals are promptly investigated.
Indicators of Human Trafficking
General:
- Live on or near work premises.
- Restricted or controlled communication/transportation.
- Frequently moved by traffickers.
- Large number of occupants for living space.
- Lack of private space/personal possessions/financial records.
- Limited knowledge about how to get around in a community.
Physical:
- Signs of torture (e.g., cigarette burns).
- Brands or scarring indicating ownership.
- Signs of malnourishment.
Financial/Legal:
- Someone else has possession of legal/travel documents.
- Existing debt issues.
- One attorney representing multiple illegal aliens detained at different locations.
- Third party who insists on interpreting.
- Did the victim sign a contract?
Labor Camp/Sweatshop:
- Security intended to keep victims confined.
- Barbed wire.
- Bars on windows.
- Self-contained camps.
- Bouncers, guards, and/or guard dogs.
- Shopping allowed only at "Company Store."
Brothel:
- Large amounts of cash and condoms.
- Customer logbook or receipt book (a.k.a. "trick book").
- Sparse rooms.
- Men come and go frequently.