"You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” —William Wilberforce, British politician and abolitionist
Spotting the warning signs of human trafficking can be hard and confusing. But it is better to be safe than sorry. Here is a list of what might be a sign of human trafficking. It is important to be aware of these signs and be aware of your surroundings. On the get help page, you can see how to proceed. Here you will find some indications that someone might a victim of human trafficking.
Showing signs of abuse and physical injuries
Lacking government documentation
Working excessively
Poor physical and/or dental health
Branding tattoos
Untreated sexual diseases
Being malnourished
Avoiding eye contact and social interaction
Having an unstable living situation
Answers seem scripted or practiced beforehand
Not having freedom of movement
Living with their employer
Unpaid or paid very little
Being submissive and/ or fearful
What do you do when spotting these signs or suspecting that someone around you is being human trafficked?
You can try to talk with the person privately to ask them some questions. But it is important to not jeopardize the victims and your safety while doing that. These are some questions that could be asked.
Are you safe?
Do you need any help?
Do you have government identification?
Is someone threatening you or your family?
Have you been hurt or abused?
It is important not to alarm anyone around you and to make sure you and the other person are safe.
In addition to that, you can also learn about how to prevent human trafficking.