ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

  • Are you in control of your identification/personal documents? If not, who is?
  • Were you recruited for one job and are doing another?
  • Has someone asked you to engage in sexual activity in exchange for anything?
  • Have you been asked to do something for pay that you did not want to do, or felt uncomfortable with?
  • Are you in control of your own money? Do you have to turn over the money you make?
  • Do you have a debt you cannot pay off?
  • Are you paid for your work?
  • Are you paid enough?
  • Do you only earn tips?
  • Can you leave if you want?
  • Has anyone threatened to harm you/your family if you leave your job?

Look for signs of physical, psychological, or sexual abuse that may also indicate human trafficking.

 

The indicators listed above are not all-inclusive. It is important to note that they also may be indicative of other issues beyond trafficking; and, of course, some individuals may show no indication at all. The most important thing to remember is to listen to individuals and believe them when they out-cry.

INDICATORS

POSSIBLE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
  • Lack of personal safety
  • Isolation
  • Emotional distress
  • Homelessness
  • Poverty
  • Family dysfunction
  • Substance abuse
  • Mental illness
  • Learning disabilities
  • Developmental delay
  • Childhood sexual abuse
  • Promotion of sexual exploitation by family members or peers
  • Lack of social support
POSSIBLE BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS OF A CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIM INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
  • An inability to attend school on a regular basis and/or unexplained absences
  • Frequently running away from home
  • References made to frequent travel to other cities
  • Bruises or other signs of physical trauma, withdrawn behavior, depression, anxiety, or fear
  • Lack of control over a personal schedule and/or identification or travel documents
  • Hunger, malnourishment, or inappropriate dress (based on weather conditions or surroundings)
  • Signs of drug addiction
  • Coached or rehearsed responses to questions
  • A sudden change in attire, behavior, relationships, or material possessions (e.g., expensive items)
  • Uncharacteristic promiscuity and/or references to sexual situations or terminology beyond age-specific norms
  • A “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” who is noticeably older and/or controlling
  • An attempt to conceal scars, tattoos, or bruises
  • A sudden change in attention to personal hygiene
  • Tattoos (a form of branding) displaying the name or moniker of a trafficker, such as “daddy”
  • Hyperarousal or symptoms of anger, panic, phobia, irritability, hyperactivity, frequent crying, temper tantrums, regressive behavior, and/or clinging behavior
  • Hyperarousal or symptoms of daydreaming, inability to bond with others, inattention, forgetfulness, and/or shyness
ADDITIONAL BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS FOR LABOR TRAFFICKING INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
  • Being unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
  • Being employed but not having a school-authorized work permit
  • Being employed and having a work permit but clearly working outside the permitted hours for students owing a large debt and being unable to pay it off
  • Not being allowed breaks at work or being subjected to excessively long work hours
  • Being overly concerned with pleasing an employer and/or deferring personal or educational decisions to a boss
  • Not being in control of his or her own money
  • Living with an employer or having an employer listed as a student’s caregiver
  • A desire to quit a job but not being allowed to do so