Human Trafficking Signs and Questions
Signs of human trafficking and questions to ask from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Signs to look for:
- Evidence of being controlled/accompanied by another person who seems to dominate
- Evidence of inability to move, leave a job or even allowed in public unaccompanied
- Bruises or other signs of physical abuse
- Fear, depression, submissiveness
- Not speaking on own behalf and/or non English-speaking
- No passport or other identification
Questions to ask:
- What type of work do you do?
- Are you being paid? Can you keep what you earn or is someone holding it for you?
- Can you leave your job if you want to?
- Can you come and go as you please?
- Have you or your family been threatened?
- What are your working and living conditions like?
- Where do you sleep and eat?
- Do you have to ask permission to eat/sleep/go to the bathroom?
- Are there locks on your doors/windows so you cannot get out?
- Has your identification or documentation been taken from you?
For children:
- Why did you come to the US? What did you expect when you came? Were you scared?
- Do you have any papers? Who has them?
- Are you in school? Are you working? Can you leave if you want?
- Where do you live? Who else lives there? Are you scared to leave?
- Has anybody ever threatened you to keep you from running away?
- Did anyone ever touch you or hurt you?
If you suspect someone may be a victim of human trafficking call the Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline 1-888-373-7888
