Signs of sex trafficking

Parents, teachers, employers, counselors, nurses, doctors, other professionals, and friends of trafficking victims are often unaware of the abuse that is happening right in front of their eyes.

• Running away from home
• Truancy, chronic absenteeism
• Sudden drop in grades
• Change of friends or alienation from regular friends
• Rumors among students regarding sex activities
• Sudden change in behavior, attitude, or attire
• Anger, aggression, suicidal, or fearful
• Claims of a new and mysterious/secrecy regarding a boyfriend
• Use of drugs
• Weight loss
• Bruises or other physical trauma
• New cell phone or multiple cell phones
• Use of terminology related to prostitution
• Tattoos that are related to pimping/prostitution activity
• Secrecy with social media and phone

A more extensive list with indicators of human trafficking based on forced labor or servitude and sex exploitation can be found on the National Resource Center (NHTRC).

https://www.sdcda.org/preventing/human-trafficking/nhtrc-info#nhtrc_overview

Additional Signs of Sex Trafficking:

• Commercial sex acts, ads, or payments arranged or facilitated by another person. The person can be a relative, romantic partner, spouse, roommate, or friend rather than just a ‘pimp’ or ‘bottom.’
• Living/sleeping at a commercial sex site or a place provided/controlled by someone facilitating the commercial sex. 3. Quotas; debts; logs or ledgers tracking earnings and/or debts; someone else collecting or controlling earnings
• Large quantities of condoms, lubricants, or other items indicating a high volume of commercial sex acts
• Lacks of personal possessions, personal hygiene, supplies, or clothing for activities other than commercial sex
• Rules or controls about going out, using the phone, resting, eating, choosing customers, or setting prices or terms for commercial sex acts. Rules requiring constant check-ins; penalties or punishments for breaking rules
• Confiscation of or control over identification/immigration documents, child and family service files, probation or parole records, explicit images, pictures of family or other information used to threaten and intimidate
• Tattoos or branding
• Isolated surroundings, no access to transit, monitored communications, no contact with family; frequently moved
• Falsely promised good earnings as high-end escorts, models, recording artists, or dancers
• Drug dependency, addiction, fear of withdrawal, drugs ‘fronted’ on ‘credit’ then withheld
• Lack of access to medical care; insufficient rest; continuing commercial sex acts when menstruating, sick, or hurt

For more information, please visit the FBI website:

https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/human-trafficking/trafficking-indicators