Identifying a Victim:

The following signs will assist you in identifying someone who is a possible victim of Human Trafficking. Remember it is always better to be safe than sorry if you suspect someone is a victim of Human Trafficking.

Domestic US Victims:

• Few or no personal possessions
• Lack of knowledge of the community or area (will have a cover story such as here visiting a cousin or friend)
• Fearful demeanor: anxious, depressed, tense, nervous or non compliant
• Signs of physical abuse or malnourishment
• Living on the street or “couch-surfing” with friends
• Involved in the commercial sex industry: stripping, escort, prostitution, pornography
• All underage sex workers (under the age of 18)
• Live with their “boyfriend”
• Runaway from home or made to leave home as a minor
• Not in control of their own money, give all money to their “boyfriend”
• Cannot answer simple questions like where they shop for clothes or what recent movie they saw at the theater
• Past sexual abuse as child causing a “damaged goods” self attitude
• Undervalued attitude about sex and defensive survivor attitude proclaiming that they do not need help

Foreign Nationals:

• Few or no personal possessions
• Lack of knowledge of the community or area
• Not in control of their own ID or passport (may have fake ID)
• Restricted or controlled communication, not allowed to speak for themselves, third party may insist on answering for them, may not speak English
• Fearful demeanor: anxious, depressed, tense, nervous or non compliant
• Signs of physical abuse or malnourishment
• Unpaid or paid very little not in control of their own money
• Owe debt to boss or employer for bringing them to the US
• May live at the place they work or in a compound type situation with many others
• Probably do not have a cell phone
• Usually not alone or out of view of their trafficker or transporter

If you suspect anyone as being a victim of Human Trafficking, please use the info on the left side of this page to contact, or on our I Need Help page to get help for the victim. Also, please consider becoming a member of the OATH Coalition to help you be more informed and aware of this growing problem.