Last week, I posted my first guest article on this blog about “what is human trafficking.” Here, in Part 2 of the series, I'll focus on “flags,” or signs that someone might be a victim of human trafficking.
“Flags”
These can be initial observations or indicators of trafficking. Taken separately, a question below could suggest abuse (but not necessarily trafficking). Look for patterns; put everything in context. If someone has been treated this way for a long time, he/she may not realize s/he could be a victim…and is unlikely to self-identify. It is up to all of us to notice “what doesn’t seem right.” For example:
• Is the person accompanied by another person who seems controlling?
• Does the person accompanying a suspected potential victim insist on giving information to you?
• Can you see or detect any physical abuse?
• Does the person (potential victim) seem submissive or fearful?
• Does the potential victim have difficulty communicating because of language or cultural barriers?
• Does the potential victim have any identification?
Eight Questions To Help You Identify Potential Victims of Human Trafficking
These questions are geared toward those most likely to come into contact, one-on-one, with a potential victim—social service workers, counselors, law enforcement, code inspectors, realtors, home inspectors, for example. As many readers know, it isn’t the role of the casual observer to “play investigator.” If you have a tip or a lead, please call the toll free number I list in the Next Steps section below.
• Can the person leave his/her work or job situation if they want? In my previous post I talked about the role of force, fraud and coercion in cases of human trafficking. It's not uncommon for victims to be placed in situations against their will, or tricked into one (promised one type of job, for example, then forced into another--bait and switch).
• When they are not working, can the potential victim come and go as they please? Same idea as above and the role of force, fraud and coercion.
• Has the person been threatened with harm if s/he tries to quit? Often, once a victim finds her/himself in a human trafficking situation, it becomes difficult for them to extricate themselves without outside help.
• Similarly, are you aware of reports of a potential victim's family as having been threatened as a result of the potential victim having reported her/his situation?
• What are the working or living conditions like? Substandard living or working conditions could be a flag. While not sole evidence of human trafficking per se, one example could be a row of mattresses stuffed uncharacteristically in a kitchen/storage room of a restaurant and evidence of these mattresses having been slept in. Another might be pornography paraphernalia in what would otherwise be professional office space.
• Where does the person sleep and eat? This could especially be relevant for those of you who work as building code inspectors, for example. Sometimes, restaurant workers in labor trafficking are forced to sleep at the back of the restaurant they work for, not allowed to leave, take breaks, etc.
• Do they have to ask permission to eat, sleep or go to the bathroom? Again, this may be evidence of submission, lack of control over their own decisions.
• Is there a lock on their door or windows so they cannot get out? This is a sad reality. Be on the look out, also, for iron gates that turn inward at the top, rather than “out.” It could be evidence of a situation of keeping people in, rather than thieves out.
That Which Walks and Talks Like a Duck...
... might be a duck. Or might not. Have someone who is trained to do so, assess the "ducki-ness" of a situation.
What do I mean by this? Answers to the questions above that might suggest suspicion of human trafficking activity, but may not necessarily constitute such a situation. It's important that you don't try and assess the situation yourself. Not only because of the potential danger it may pose for you, but also because of the potential harm it may pose for the victim. And, the fact is, there are others who are better trained to make such an assessment. Leave the responsibility of assessment to those who are in the business of doing so. (See Next Steps below.)
But, don't let the possibility of being wrong deter you from calling it in, either. While it's true that some reported cases don't actually materialize as human trafficking activity (sometimes they're instances of simple code violations in a workplace or a large family living in tight conditions in a home, for example), it is also true that many victims are saved from a life of pain and suffering by just such reporting.
Be aware of the eight questions above. If you suspect it, call it in.
Next Steps:
Contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) 24/7 at: 888-3737-888 for more information, or 911 if it's an urgent-emergency. Visit www.rescueandrestore.org, for free materials and resources on this topic. Many thanks to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for their contributions to this topic.
In the next parts of this guest series, we’ll learn more about child sex trafficking, and “What’s in the news?”. Lately, there has been a lot.
