In the United States, if you ever suspect trafficking, call the National Trafficking Hotline at
1.888.3737.888
ADD THIS NUMBER TO YOUR CELL
Just as “it takes a village to raise a child,” it takes a community that’s aware and looking out for its children to keep them protected from child trafficking and exploitation. Be informed and watch out for the children in your community:
VULNERABILITIES
- History of sexual abuse, neglect or domestic violence
- Family background in commercial sex
- Displaced by social or natural disaster
- Is part of an undocumented, stateless, or ostracized group
- Poverty or family economic strain
- Unstable or inconsistent family conditions (i.e., parental absence or neglect, substance abuse, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, multiple foster homes)
- Running away or truancy
- Low self-esteem or self-worth
- Experimenting with risky sexual behaviors or drugs
COMMON SITUATIONS OF CHILD TRAFFICKING
- Strip clubs, exotic dancing, pornography
- Begging
- Online ads, chat services and porn sites
- Escort or dating services
- Domestic labor (housecleaning, childcare, elderly care)
- Restaurants or bars
- The streets
- Factories, sweatshops, or agricultural work
- Businesses such as hotel/motels, massage parlors, nail salons
POTENTIAL RED FLAGS
- Is under 18 years old and performs commercial sex acts
- Is excessively monitored or controlled by parents, a supposed guardian or older partner or “sponsor” who claims to provide for their upbringing and needs, or who insists on speaking for them or being present at all times
- Detached or (suddenly) isolated from majority of family members and friends
- Is unable to give answers about their schedules or living and work locations/conditions; appears to possibly work and live in the same building or location
- Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story; contradictory personal information (age, place of birth, family life)
- Has excessive security measures at his/her home or work (i.e., security cameras, boarded or covered windows); constant traffic of men at his/her home or work location
- Noticeable change in dress, jewelry, hair or nails without explainable source of income
- Shows signs of physical or sexual abuse (bruises, cuts, burns, submissiveness, jumpy, malnourishment); appears fearful, anxious, depressed, overly submissive, and avoids eye contact
- Suffers from substance abuse problems (alcohol and/or drugs), an array of other psychological disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, or chronic illnesses
- Carries multiple hotel key cards, lots of money, sharp objects (weapons)
- Sudden presence of an older boyfriend
- Tattoo with a name that is not their own; or that he/she is reluctant to explain
For more information about the signs of human trafficking at large (including adults), here are some great resources:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/fact-sheet-identifying-victims-of-human-trafficking
http://www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/recognizing-the-signs