Human Trafficking: What Are The Signs?

Human trafficking is a crime that impacts millions of men, women and children world-wide. Often described as modern-day slavery, it is a direct violation of one’s fundamental rights. Despite this, the United Nations estimates that the illegal act of human trafficking generates roughly $32 billion dollars annually.

So, what is Human Trafficking exactly?

Human trafficking is the exploitation of a person by means of force, coercion, fraud and/or deception for the financial gain of the trafficker. This can be in the form of domestic, physical or manual labor (labor trafficking), as well as sexual services (sex trafficking). It is important to make the distinction that human trafficking is not human smuggling (moving someone across a border illegally), nor is it consensual, paid sex work by anyone 18 years or older.

Although anyone can be at risk, there are certain factors that increase one’s risk of being trafficked. For example, homeless youth are at a greater risk, as are Indigenous girls and women, individuals struggling with addiction, and youth who appear to be struggling with low self-esteem, abuse, or discrimination. Often, traffickers will target those who they believe are more vulnerable and quickly provide everything the victim previously needed and/or wanted. This is not out of kindness, but to establish dependency and a hierarchy that they will then use to exploit and control the victim.

This is a common behavior by traffickers, whether it be for the purposes of sex trafficking or labor trafficking. In sex trafficking for example, this behavior is a form of ‘Grooming’ wherein the trafficker showers the victim with gifts and admiration, slowly pushing the victim’s boundaries and encouraging more and more risky behaviors as time passes. In labor trafficking, the victim may initially be promised their dream job and be provided with meals or accommodations in the form of gifts, which quickly then turn into a ‘debt’ they now owe but can never fully pay.

Fear and manipulation are a powerful weapon, and the victim may eventually believe that they are solely dependent on their trafficker to survive and therefore, may believe that they are better off staying than attempting to leave.

So, What Are The Signs That Someone May Be Being Trafficked?

1.      They are suddenly isolated from friends and family.

2.      They are not allowed to speak for themselves and whomever they are with typically responds for them.

3.      There are threats of violence or blackmail if the victim does not agree to do what the trafficker says.

4.      They are suddenly wearing new, more sexualized clothing and/or items that they could not previously afford.

5.      The victim does not have access to their own money, credit cards, passports, driver’s license, etc.

6.      There is psychological and emotional abuse (i.e., “You’re disgusting”; “No-one will ever love you like I do”, “If you don’t do X, I will have you deported!” etc.)

7.      They have signs of physical abuse, including bruises, burns, fractures or breaks.

8.      They appear nervous, anxious or submissive and may avoid eye contact with people, particularly when in the presence of a Police officer.

9.      They are treated poorly and subjected to long working hours, little to no breaks, poor living conditions, etc.,

10.   They may lack medical care and appear to be malnourished.

11.   They have been reported missing.

12.   They say they have a new partner who they refuse to introduce to their family or friends.

This blog post provides a brief overview of human trafficking and some of the signs a victim may display, knowingly or unknowingly. All circumstances are different and therefore, the best defense we can have is to continue to educate ourselves and increase awareness about human trafficking; there are several initiatives and programs within Ontario that aim to do just that.

If you or someone you know is a victim of Human Trafficking, please call 911, the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 or Sudbury and Area Victims Services at 705-522-6970. If you have any further questions, or want to discuss your concerns or experiences, please never hesitate to contact me and we can speak one-on-one.