Section 5 | Future Unchained

Section 5: Identifying Human Trafficking

5.1 What are the Warning Signs of Human Trafficking?

We need to recognize trafficking at an early stage to protect ourselves and others. In order to do this, we must understand that scenarios and circumstances will vary for every victim, trafficker, and each subcategory. The key signs apply to all cases, which is why learning this course is essential. Trafficking victims are often confused, afraid, and easily frightened. Many are from another country and follow the trafficker to various locations they never heard of. Likely, they can only speak the minimum, and sometimes not at all, of the local language.

As for sex trafficking, there are more nuances involved. A typical sex trafficking victim will carry multiple cell phones, with one or several designated only for contacting their clients. They will also have tattoos of names on their body as a form of possession that objectify these victims as the possession of the traffickers. Moreover, victims often have to move from one place to another within a very limited period of time, and are not allowed to bring multiple pieces of clothings along. Therefore, seasonal inappropriate clothings (such as wearing summer clothes in the middle of winter) are also typical. This migrant lifestyle is also represented through the victims carrying multiple hotel keys.

Therefore, say if you see someone looking scared and frightened, holding multiple cell phones, and wearing a tank top and mini skirt when it is December and snowing in Chicago, you probably know that something is wrong.

Labor Trafficking Warning Signs
1. Seem disoriented, confused, or easily frightened:
  Victims of labor trafficking can be brought to a place forcefully, which makes them unaware of the city they are in.
2. Work long/unusual hours
3. Live and work in the same location
4. Transported to/from work by employer
5. Limited English language capacity
  As we mentioned in section II “Victims”, many labor trafficking victims are brought to the United States from overseas and are unfamiliar with English.
6. Identification documents held by a third party
  Ex: passports, visas, ID, etc.
7. Fearful of authorities
8. Closely watched/monitored by someone else
9. Not allowed to speak/move freely
Sex Trafficking Warning Signs
1. Possesses multiple cell phones
  They may have different work phones for contacting clients
2. Tattoos of someone else’s name on face/other body parts
  To psychologically control and objectify the victims, traffickers coerce the victims to tattoo their traffickers’ names on body parts and faces as a form of possession.

1. Chronically absent from school
2. Dressed in seasonally inappropriate attire
  Victims are transported from place to place.
3. Suddenly acquires numerous expensive possessions
4. Physical signs of physical abuse/confinement (bruises/scars/burn marks)
5. Has an “older boyfriend”
6. Carrying multiple hotel keys

How to spot human trafficking? Watch this TED Talk! A healthcare professional shares her experiences in helping clients heal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrxhptvEOTs&t=317s

5.2 Why do Victims Stay?

Many victims stay with their traffickers because they physically and mentally cannot leave.

Victims might not self-identify as victims. Through the constant brainwashing of the trafficker, the victim has either learned to trust and develop feelings for their traffickers, or have become dependent on the trafficker, and believe they are performing their service out of the willingness of their own heart. Worse, some victims blame themselves for ending up in the trafficking industry. The constant, non-consensual exploitation has deprived themselves of their self-worth and stripped away their sense of identity. As a result, even when organizations or law enforcements come to help, victims often remain hostile to authorities. After years of living scared and frightened, victims will use this defense mechanism to protect themselves from further harm, which prevents them from reaching safety and freedom.

Many victims also struggle to leave their traffickers because they have been socially cut off from the world. When they are with the trafficker, their worldview and interactions with others are extremely limited. Victims may fear the difficulties and uncertainties that come with reentry into society.