Understanding the Pattern
Ending human trafficking starts with understanding and addressing the economical, social and cultural issues that contribute to the vulnerability of the victims and enables abuse.
Risk Factors
Economical
Lack of Resources
Housing instability
Homelessness
Social
Discrimination (Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, etc)
Gang activity
Bullying
Domestic violence
Physical, sexual, and mental abuse
Mental health issues
Undocumented immigrant status
Cultural
Lack of acceptance of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Forced marriage
“The average age a teen enters the sex trade in the US is 12 to 14 years old. Many victims are runaway girls who were sexually abused as children.”
See The Signs
Everyone is a potential victim of human trafficking regardless if they fall into the known risk factors or not. These reg flag indicators will help you see the signs before someone become a victim to human trafficking.
Behavioral Indicators
Change in attitude (Absent from school, Run away from home, Disconnecting from family and friends, Lying,)
Avoids communication allows others to speak for them
Disoriented or confused
Physical Indicators
Signs of abuse (Sexual or physical)
Repeated drug or alcohol abuse
Permanent physical markings (Branding)
Unstable living situation (Living out of a suitcase, Motel, Car)
How Traffickers Lure Victims In
There are multiple ways that a trafficking predator take advantage of vulnerable victims. These are a few of the most common tactics employed by these individuals.
Gaining the trust of a potential victim through building a relationship then manipulating them into sexual exploitation.
Debt Bondage where victims are told they must earn their freedom back. Often times they are sold by a family member.
Threats of violence to family members. Traffickers will tell victims they will hurt the people they love if they do not obey them. Traffickers can be very sophisticated and will have photos and personal information to further their threats.
Traffickers will take control of travel documents such as passports and refuse to give them back usually when a victim thinks they are coming to another country for a legitimate job. However when they arrive they realize they have been tricked into sexual exploitation.
Online manipulation is a common place for traffickers who initially make contact with a target victim through social media and chat rooms.
Forced kidnapping where drugs are used to keep a victim compliant to sexual exploitation.
Who To Contact
If you are the target of human trafficking please contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. You can also reach out to the national human trafficking hotline at +1 (888) 373-7888.
If you have a missing persons case and have already exhausted law enforcement or if you have any information that could help with our mission please contact us at