Human Trafficking

• Being controlled by others and not able to speak for themselves;
• Not allowed to have/carry their own ID or Passport or Lying about age/false ID;
• Not having control of their own money or cellphone;
• Given a second cell phone with a secret number;
• Being controlled by others and escorted at all times;
• Not being allowed to contact family or friends;
• Withdrawing from family and friends;
• Providing rehearsed answers to casual questions;
• Being secretive about their activities;
• Having a new boyfriend, girlfriend, or friend who they won't introduce to friends/family;
• Having money or new items (clothing, jewelry, hotel keys, etc.) outside their financial means;
• Unfamiliar with the neigbourhood they live or work in.

NOTE: Not all indicators listed are present in every human trafficking situation.

• Wearing age inappropriate clothing;
• Wearing inappropriate clothing for time of year;
• May have expensive clothing, purses, shoes, nails which they never had before;
• Signs of branding, scars, tattoos with traffickers name/symbol;
• Showing signs of abuse, such as bruising, cigarette burns, fractures, etc.;
• May show signs of being restrained, confined, or tortured.

• May appear like they are unaware they are being victimized because they have a relationship with their trafficker eg. boyfriend or friend;
• May appear taken care of because they may have a place to live, food, nice clothes, or even a job;
• May think they are not allowed to reach out for help because they choose to be in the relationship or feel trapped;
• Feel alone, isolated, helpless, appear to do as they are told;
• May have been taught to distrust Police or other government agencies afraid they will get arrested/deported;
• Fear for their safety or the safety of their family as trafficker may have threaten them;
• Victims of human trafficking can experience devastating psychological effects during and after their trafficking experience. Many survivors may end up experiencing post-traumatic stress, difficulty in relationships, depression, memory loss, anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, and other severe forms of mental trauma.