Bite Sized Info: Warning Signs of Sex Trafficking by Location
Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has documented over 22,191 reported sex trafficking cases in the United States.
Already this year there have been over 500 reported missing children in Washington D.C. alone. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children estimate that 1 in 6 missing children are likely sex trafficking victims. Sex trafficking is extremely profitable for pimps who earn $150,000 to $200,000 each year PER girl. Most pimps keep 4-6.
Friends, parents, doctors, hotel staff, teachers, foster parents -- all can be part of stopping this evil.
Remember that those victimized often do not perceive themselves as victims. Call the number below if you notice one or more of these indicators. Call 911 if the victim is in immediate danger. Do not attempt to contact them or rescue them. Sometimes that will do more harm than good. If you can unobtrusively get photos of the suspected trafficker or his license plate, good! But intervention sometimes puts the victims in more danger. What they need is for you to be their voice. Do not be silent if you are suspicious. IT NEVER HURTS TO MAKE A CALL!!
Warning Signs of Sex Trafficking
Anywhere
- answers to questions seem rehearsed
- with an older, controlling man
- lack of knowledge of whereabouts
- loss of sense of time
- numerous inconsistencies in story
- inability/fear of social intercourse
- avoids looking people in the eye
- does not consider self a victim
- loyalty/positive feelings toward trafficker
- refers to older, controlling male as “boyfriend
- appears to be drugged
At home
- daughter has an older boyfriend she doesn’t want you to meet
- unexplained, expensive presents
- runaway/difficult behavior
- repeated absence from school
At rest stops
- a girl going up to trucks with offers of sex
- any odd situations in which someone appears to be being held against their will in a car
At hospitals/doctor offices
- patient is not in control of ID/ personal documents
- is not allowed to speak for himself or herself
- barcode tattoos, tattoos of a man’s name, tattoos of “Daddy”
- signs of physical abuse/malnourishment
At airports
- is not dressed appropriately for travel
- has few personal possessions
- is being closely watched or controlled
- does not know their destination/flight information
At hotels
- client reserves room with a credit card, pays later in cash
- refusal of housekeeping services for days at a time
- different men coming and going
- pornography use
- individuals exchanging money
- minors in sexually provocative attire, with an older, controlling man
National Human Trafficking Hotline: CALL 1(888) 373-7888
Published on March 27, 2017 | Updated March 27, 2017The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
