(Not all indicators listed are present in every trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any indicator is not necessarily proof of trafficking.)
Sex Trafficking
- Youth is under the age of 18 and engaged in commercial sex, regardless of force, fraud, or coercion.
- Youth feels they must provide commercial sex in exchange for money, housing or other necessities.
- Has a history of multiple runaways or AWOLS, or any episodes of child homelessness.
- Photos of the youth have been placed online for advertising purposes.
- Youth presents with an inexplicable appearance of excessive cash, expensive gifts, clothing, or other costly items.
- Is in a controlling relationship or has visible signs of physical abuse such as bruising, scars, or hearing loss.
- Has tattoos or markings indicating ownership or control by another Individual.
- Has a history of untreated sexually transmitted diseases.
- Youth frequently stays at or is seen at hotels/motels.
- Shows signs of or admits to substance abuse or gang involvement
One in six runaways in 2014 were likely sex trafficking victims and 68% of these likely victims were in the care of social services or foster care when they ran. (NCMEC)
Labor Trafficking
- Youth references employment scams or physical/sexual/psychological abuse by employers.
- Youth works unusually long hours or works instead of attending school.
- Was required to pay a recruitment fee for their job.
- Is not paid, is paid very little or someone takes all or part of the money he/she earned.
- Is accompanied by a controlling person or boss; cannot or will not speak on their own behalf.
- Presents with bruises, is depressed, fearful or overly submissive.
- Is transported to or from work; lives and works in the same place.
- Lacks control over personal schedule, money, I.D., travel documents.
- Has been threatened with deportation or law enforcement action.
- He/she wants to leave his/her job, but can’t.
The International Labor Organization estimates that 5.9 million children are in forced labor worldwide. More than half of these children are in commercial sexual exploitation. In 2021, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center received calls for 10,360 cases involving possible trafficking situations; 2,365 of those cases involved minors.
For more stats on Human Trafficking
