Provided by Indiana Protection for Abused and Trafficked Humans – IPATH
If you come in contact with anyone exhibiting one or more of the following indicators, they may be a victim of human trafficking.
- A potential victim typically has someone with them at all times. This person seems very controlling and tries to speak for the victim.
- Victims may exhibit signs of physical abuse such as: bruises, broken bones, cuts, burns, scars and/or malnourishment.
- Victims may have signs of psychological trauma such as: severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, Stockholm’s Syndrome, panic attacks, submissiveness, and/or no emotion at all (flat affect).
- Victims may work and live in the same location.
- Victims may believe that they must work for their employer because of a debt they owe.
- Victims typically do not have control over personal identification documents. These documents may be in the control of the trafficker.
- Victims may appear afraid/nervous and may not make eye contact.
- Conversations with victims may seem very scripted, inconsistent, or vague.
- Victims have signs of “branding” by their traffickers such as: tattoos of the trafficker’s name and/or jewelry.
- Victims may have a lack of knowledge about where they are or why.
- Victims may not admit that they are victims and may not ask for help.
Human Trafficking situations are often very dangerous and unpredictable. If you suspect human trafficking in your community, contact the National Human Trafficking Hot Line at 1- 888-373-7888 or call 911.