Signs of Human Trafficking

Anyone can be targeted for modern slavery, also called human trafficking, regardless of education level, age, or social class. This page focuses especially on warning signs of sex trafficking and trafficking recruitment, although labour trafficking and other forms of exploitation can also occur. Being trafficked is never the victim’s fault. Awareness of grooming tactics and red flags can help prevent serious harm.

Human trafficking is a large-scale global issue, and no single page can cover every possible warning sign. For significantly more information and training, visit Polaris Project’s training page.

Signs of Trafficking Recruitment

• Commenting on social media photos or sending direct messages to start contact
• Feigning romantic interest, love bombing, or using extreme flattery
• Asking about financial hardship, desperation, housing instability, or family conflict
• Promising gifts, money, financial rescue, or a better life
• Offering to pay to buy the target’s worn clothing or personal items
• Offering jobs for dancing, modelling, content creation, or travel-based work
• Claiming a job will include food, housing, transportation, or total care
• Assuring the target that they will “take care of everything”
• Promising to save the target from domestic violence, poverty, or a difficult home life
• Requesting selfies or identity proof early in the interaction
• Buying travel tickets for the target in long-distance situations
• Being unwilling to meet in a public place in local situations

Read more about the grooming process.

Signs Someone May Be Being Trafficked

• Appears withdrawn from family, friends, school, work, or community organizations
• Wears new or expensive things outside what they would normally be able to afford
• Has had a sudden or dramatic change in behaviour
• Is a minor involved in commercial sex acts
• Has bruises in various stages of healing
• Comes across as fearful, timid, submissive, or hypervigilant
• Seems disoriented, confused, or shows signs of mental or physical abuse
• Shows signs of being denied food, water, sleep, or medical care
• Is often with someone they seem to defer to or fear
• Seems controlled in where they go, what they say, or who they talk to
• Appears coached on what to say
• Lacks stable living conditions, freedom of movement, or personal possessions
• Appears to be under unusual security or surveillance

If you are in Canada, call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline. If you are in the United States, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline.