Human trafficking is a very dangerous and serious crime that affects millions of people around the world, including children and teenagers. It’s a complicated crime that anyone can be victim to (men, women and children of any age, race, and nationality), and can happen anywhere (in any country, in cities, and in rural areas).
The best way to stop human trafficking is to understand what it is, to know what the signs of human trafficking are, and to know how and where to get help when it happens.
This article will help you better understand:
- What is human trafficking?
- Who are traffickers?
- Where are traffickers?
- What are the warning signs of human trafficking?
- What should I do if I think I or someone else is being trafficked?
1. What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is when a person forces, manipulates, or tricks someone into doing something they don't want to do. The trafficker is a person in a position of power who uses their power to control the person being trafficked. Human trafficking is also known as modern slavery.
It’s a common belief that human trafficking implies some kind of forced kidnapping, but this isn’t necessarily true! Trafficking can happen anywhere, it does not always involve physical force, and it can happen at the hands of strangers or people that we know and trust. Trafficking can also be a gradual process; traffickers will sometimes spend weeks or months manipulating, gaining the trust, and grooming the person they want to control.
Trafficking can happen without the use of physical force. Traffickers use different techniques to get control over the person they are trafficking, like:
- 🤕 Violence or threats to make the person afraid of disobeying.
- Threats could include hurting that person or hurting someone that they love, blackmail, or even threats to call law enforcement on them. For example, a trafficker might threaten to report an undocumented immigrant to law enforcement in order to force them to do something.
- 🤥 Lying and false promises of a job, money, a place to live, or other benefits that they never follow through with.
- 💔 Emotionally manipulating a person using trust, love, friendship, etc.
- 🙅♂️ Making the person feel like they have no other choices.
- Sometimes they do this by stealing their travel and identification documents, or by not allowing them to have any money. They might isolate them and keep them from having any access to a phone or computer, so that they are not able to reach out for help.
- 🫢 Making the person afraid to ask for help.
- They may try to convince them that no one will believe them, or they might threaten them with some kind of punishment for trying to ask for help.
Trafficking can take many different forms and can exist in different industries. Three of the most common forms of human trafficking are sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude.
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Sex Trafficking is when a person is forced/manipulated/tricked into doing sexual activities for money or other types of payment.
- Sex trafficking can happen in person or online.
- Sex trafficking can happen in person or online.
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Forced Labor is when a person is forced/manipulated/tricked into working for little or no pay. They are usually not treated fairly and their rights as workers are not respected (for example, they are forced to work long hours, the work is dangerous, or they are not given breaks or proper safety equipment).
- Forced labor can happen in many different types of jobs, including construction, factory work, farm work, domestic work (like cleaning or babysitting), and many more.
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Note: In the U.S. there are labor laws that protect workers—including children and teens—from forced labor, unpaid work, and dangerous or unhealthy work environments. Regardless of your immigration status, you have rights as a worker, and your employer must respect your rights.
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Domestic Servitude is when a person is forced to work in someone else's home without pay or fair treatment. It can involve cleaning, cooking, or caring for children or elderly people in the home.
- People who are being forced to work in domestic servitude are often not allowed to leave the home or have contact with anyone outside of the home.
2. Who are traffickers?
There is no one description that traffickers fit! Many people image a stereotype of what they think traffickers look like (for example, many people think that traffickers are always men), but the reality is that traffickers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be any gender, age, or race. Plus, not all traffickers are complete strangers to the people that they traffic.
Traffickers can be:
- employers
- gang members
- strangers
- family members
- friends and family friends
- neighbors and community members
- romantic partners
- anyone else!
Traffickers often take advantage of people in a vulnerable situation or people who will not be able to ask for help easily. They might target someone who:
- is struggling financially
- is looking for a new job
- is trying to build a better life for themselves or their family
- is alone and doesn’t have friends or family nearby to look out for them
- is emotionally vulnerable
- doesn't speak the local language
- is afraid of law enforcement
While it’s scary to think that a trafficker can be someone close to you, it’s important to be aware of this and to know the signs of human trafficking so that you can protect yourself and others.
3. Where are traffickers?
Traffickers target people in both online and in physical places. Some examples of places where they operate are:
- 💻 online, especially through social media and dating apps
- 🏫 schools
- 🏞️ popular meeting places like malls, parks, concerts, community centers, public transit centers, parties, etc.
- 🏠 group homes and shelters
- 🚨 detention centers
It’s also important to keep in mind that people who are being trafficked are not always kept isolated and hidden away. They might be allowed to participate in normal life activities; for example, a youth who is being forced into trafficking might also be allowed to attend school. The people that you interact with at a store, beauty salon, restaurant, factory, or farm also might be victims of human trafficking, even if it’s not easy to see.
4. What are the warning signs of someone being trafficked?
Every human trafficking situation is different, and it can be difficult to spot the signs. However, being aware of common ‘red flags,’ or warning signs, can help you identify if someone is being trafficked. Being familiar with these red flags can also help you protect yourself from trafficking!
Here are some of the red flags and warning signs that victims of human trafficking might show:
- 🚩 Signs of abuse (physical or psychological).
- Bruising is an example of a sign of physical abuse. Signs of psychological abuse present themselves as anxiety, low self-esteem, extreme nervousness, etc.
- 🚩 Not having control over identification documents, such as passports and immigration documents.
- 🚩 Having limited freedom of movement.
- For example, not being allowed to leave the home or place of work, or needing permission to do basic things, like go to the store.
- 🚩 Unexplained absences.
- For example, missing a lot of school, or not going to events and gatherings that they used to go to.
- 🚩 Living where they work.
- 🚩 Having a large debt they cannot pay off, or no money despite working many hours.
- 🚩 Having untreated medical conditions or no access to medical care.
- 🚩 Avoiding/having little contact with family and friends.
- 🚩 Seems very fearful of one person or very attached to one person.
- 🚩 Seems very distrustful of law enforcement or other authority figures.
Remember that these red flags might not always be present in cases of human trafficking, and that some people being actively human trafficked might not show any obvious signs of being forced or manipulated.
5. What should I do if I think I or someone else is being trafficked?
Human trafficking is a serious crime, and it’s important that you report any instance of human trafficking. Speaking up and reporting can help protect yourself and others from exploitation and harm.
Important! ⚠️ Never try to confront or stop a trafficker on your own. It’s also not a good idea to confront the victim of trafficking either. You may be putting them or yourself in danger. If you suspect human trafficking, there are a few options to report the crime:
- If you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 911. Calling 911 will put you in touch with police or other authorities who can help you immediately.
- For more information about 911 and other crisis hotlines in the US, click here.
- Talk to a safe adult. If there is a parent, teacher, or other safe adult that you feel comfortable talking to, you can ask them for help and guidance on how to report the crime.
- Get in touch with the National Human Trafficking Hotline. The hotline is free, confidential, available 24/7, and available in English and Spanish. Get in touch by:
- calling 1-888-373-7888
- texting ‘HELP’ to 233733
- messaging the online chat
- There may be local organizations where you live that provide help and support to stop human trafficking. You can search for organizations in your area by entering your zip code or town here.
To learn more about what human trafficking is and how to recognize the signs, check out this video from Blue Campaign:
Sources:
Blue Campaign. (Accessed April, 2025). How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking: A Guide for Youth Caretakers and Individuals Working with Youth. https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/blue_campaign_youth_guide_508_1.pdf
Office for Victims of Crime. (Accessed April, 2025). About Human Trafficking. https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/human-trafficking/about-human-trafficking#0-0
Blue Campaign. (September, 2022). What is Human Trafficking? https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking
Stop the Traffik. (Accessed April, 2025). Spot the Signs of Human Trafficking. https://stopthetraffik.org/what-is-human-trafficking/spot-the-signs/