Human Trafficking Red Flags: Key Indicators You Can Watch For🦋

• Human trafficking is defined as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit victims for labor or sex. Traffickers use control tactics like retaining identity documents and income while their victims face abuse and neglect.
• Signs to watch for are physical injuries, malnutrition, untreated illnesses, lack of identification access, fear of authority figures, and confusion about time or location. Tattoos are also meaningful in sex trafficking cases.
• Victims may be fooled by social media scams promoting false job offers or relationships. Youth in foster care, immigrants with unstable status, or those facing financial hardships are at higher risk.
• Other red flags include long working hours without breaks, unsafe conditions, and restricted living environments. Victims may appear tired or unaware of their surroundings due to isolation tactics.
• To report a suspected case, call 1-888-373-7888 (National Human Trafficking Hotline) for confidential help 24/7 or text "BeFree" (233733).

Next, let's talk about who traffickers target, and how you can recognize the early warning signs.

Who Do Traffickers Target?

Individuals with unstable living situations or a history of violence, and young people in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems tend to be more at risk of trafficking.

Trafficking victims may also include those experiencing substance abuse, financial issues, or with a vulnerable immigration status.

Traffickers often abuse tools like social media to lure potential victims through false promises of work or romantic relationships. They then trap their victims by taking away their personal possessions and controlling sensitive information.

Victims of domestic violence specifically are at significant risk due to their emotional and physical vulnerability.

Key Red Flags of Human Trafficking

The signs of human trafficking are not often hard to spot, if you know what to look for. Below you'll learn how to identify red flags and help protect potential victims.

Physical injuries such as bruises, burns, or scars

Bruises, burns, or scars can be signs of a potential trafficking situation. Traffickers often leave visible marks of abuse since usually they are using force to control their victims. Injuries tend to be left untreated since seeking medical care could risk them getting caught.

In sex trafficking cases, burns or tattoos might serve as branding or marks of ownership.

In labor trafficking situations, workers may be subjected to workplace injuries like exposure to toxic chemicals or struggle with respiratory issues. They work long hours in dangerous conditions and have no access to medical care if needed.

Trafficked victims commonly avoid making eye contact and keep their distance from authority figures. They may refuse to look at law enforcement, medical professionals, or service providers due to scare tactics from traffickers.

These behaviors are not unusual for victims of trafficking who have dealt with past violence or threats.

Since traffickers use power to instill fear, a victim might be uncomfortable around security cameras or seem anxious around authority figures. This behavior may also extend to social interactions with strangers or family members.

Traffickers often trap their victims by confiscating their personal identification like their passport or driver’s license. This prevents them from escaping, while also increases their dependence on them. Victims may not have control of their own money, including their paychecks or credit cards, which traffickers use as a key method of control.

Large debt is another tactic criminals use in human trafficking situations. They may falsely claim that the victim owes them money for travel, rent, or made up fines. These lies make it difficult for individuals to escape and get help.

Physical signs like extreme thinness, dry skin, or brittle hair can be red flags for human trafficking. Victims may be sick often, display visible injuries, or be constantly tired.

Signs of malnutrition include sunken cheeks or a frail appearance. This is because traffickers’ use of control prevents victims from easy access to food or medical care.

Other red flags include dirty clothing and poor hygiene in combination with avoidance of eye contact in social settings.

Since traffickers isolate their victims by moving them frequently, and controlling their environment, victims of trafficking often lose track of time or location. For example, a victim may not even know what city they are in because their abusers are intentionally keep them in the dark.

This disorientation is common among victims in the commercial sex industry or in labor trafficking situations like an illicit massage business. If an individual appears to be confused about simple details like what day it is or addresses, it could mean they are in immediate danger and need your help to intervene.

Common Red Flags in Labor Trafficking

Labor trafficking can lead to dangerous exploitation and extreme work conditions. Here are a few ways to identify the warning signs.

Within industries like agriculture, construction, or even in illicit cantinas, you'll find that victims are working extremely long hours without scheduled breaks. Workers appearing fatigued or falling asleep on the job are red flags to watch out for.

Victims might also display untreated workplace injuries like burns or bruises from dangerous working equipment, or respiratory issues from exposure to toxic chemicals.

Victims of trafficking will not control their own schedule. Employers make them work unusual hours and deny them basic rights like food and sleep. These inhumane conditions are clear signs of labor trafficking.

If you see someone working in these conditions, it’s important to report it immediately to an official government organization such as the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC).

Victims of trafficking often spend their time living in inhumane conditions. High security measures like locked doors or constant surveillance with cameras are just a few of the ways that traffickers trap and hide victims. They may be forced to live in tiny spaces or in a room with only opaque windows.

Because they have little access to food and clean water, these type of environments can quickly lead to malnutrition and severe health issues.

It's easy to identify signs of neglect by observing a victim's living space. You'll often notice overcrowding or very little personal space.

These horrific conditions make it crucial to recognize labor trafficking, especially if someone is being forced into working long hours without proper nutrition or rest.

Branding victims with tattoos is one method that sex traffickers use to identify an individual as their property. These marks may be names, symbols, barcodes, or phrases like "Owned By" to display ownership and make it harder for victims to escape or hide.

The neck, wrists, or chest are common areas you may see these tattoos since they are highly visible. These branding marks are meant to deter others from interfering with the victim's exploitation, especially in places like strip clubs or go-go bars.

Human trafficking victims are usually controlled by one individual who is often referred to as their "manager". This individual may appear to be a romantic partner or employer as a front, but behind the scenes they are using threats or force to maintain control. Their victims are constantly monitored and the "manager" is in charge of dictating their every movement, their communication, and any personal decisions.

You'll find that victims will not speak independently or may entirely avoid answering questions directly. Identification documents like passports or driver’s licenses will be confiscated by a victim's manager to prevent them from escaping.

Next, let’s talk about what you can do if you see a red flag and need to report a suspected case of trafficking.

If you have seen signs of trafficking or suspect someone is a victim of trafficking, you must act quickly. Quick action can save lives.

1. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to report your concerns confidentially. This hotline operates 24/7 and offers support in over 200 languages.
2. Text "BeFree" (233733) for immediate support. You will communicate through text without exposing your identity.
3. If the situation is urgent, contact local law enforcement or public safety officials. Let them know what you observed, including the locations and people involved.
4. Review the official website of Polaris Project to understand more reporting methods and to access fact sheets with important information about indicators of human trafficking such as commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor.
5. Become aware of the warning signs of human trafficking through trusted organizations in Michigan. Many groups are already working to combat trafficking, such as the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, which coordinates statewide efforts focused on raising awareness and rescuing victims.
6. Inform healthcare providers about common red flags like untreated burns, malnutrition, other physical injuries, or any mental health issues of suspected victims while visiting clinics.
7. Report child trafficking incidents directly to Child Protective Services (CPS). Pay close attention to minors with unexplained branding marks like tattoos.

Following these steps while also learning what red flags to watch out for can help save victims life and provide them a safer future.

Conclusion

Human trafficking is a serious crime that is often happening right before our eyes. You can help victims by understanding common red flags and staying alert. Look for signs of control, injuries, or isolation in people around you.

Acting on your instincts could help save a life in Oakland County. Be part of the solution today by reporting suspected cases and sharing the many warning signs.