Identifying the Signs

By discussing the signs which might indicate someone is a victim of sex trafficking, we are spreading awareness to help more people recognize when others might be in danger, and further, what they can do to help. Sex trafficking is often referred to as a “hidden crime,” and so by making these distinctions we have a better idea of where and what to look for, as well as who to look out for (UNODC).

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The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has a list of indicators you can use to help identify victims. These indicators include:

• Appearing malnourished
• Appearing injured or having signs of physical abuse
• Avoiding eye contact, social interaction, and law enforcement
• Responding in manners that seem rehearsed or scripted
• Lacking personal identification documents
• Lacking personal possessions

losing their voice

It’s common for victims of sex trafficking to be highly reluctant to accepting help or admitting they are in a compromised position. This is because human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable people they can find. Victims are typically economically disadvantaged, lacking parental protection, or facing a sense of detachment from their families. Once trafficked, these victims lose control over their lives, they often have their personal identification confiscated and are financially bonded into exploitative activities (World Vision).

Because women are often sent into foreign countries to work, seeking assistance from government authorities or civil society feels impossible, considering they are technically  ‘illegal’ in their destination country (World Vision).