Labor Trafficking Red Flags and Indicators
Top 10 Labor Trafficking Red Flags and Indicators
● Individuals selling items or begging.
● Signs of physical abuse, violence, sleep deprivation, untreated injury, or illness.
● Groups of traveling sales or work crews sleeping in vehicles in parking lots
● Individuals who are being closely monitored by someone.
● Not allowed to speak for themselves
● Seems fearful or submissive to a person who is speaking for them
● Individuals who do not seem to be allowed to come and go on their own
● Individuals who do not carry their own identification or money
● Mention of working conditions or wages that differ from what was advertised or promised
● Mention of unpaid work, unusual work restrictions, or excessively long and/or unusual hours.


What is Human Trafficking?
● Lack of knowledge of whereabouts or destination
● Numerous inconsistencies in their story
● Few or no personal possessions
● Language barrier
● Lack of freedom of movement
● Watched 24/7 or living with an employer
● Newcomer to the country
● Lack of documents / documents controlled by someone else
● Debt bondage
● Submissiveness / signs of anxiety / depression / extreme nervousness
● Poor living conditions
● Responses appear to be drafted or rehearsed
● Vague/inconsistent explanations about where they live and work
● They seem to change locations frequently
● Unpaid or very low paid
● Stockholm syndrome
● Severe injuries that have not been treated and are explained vaguely or reluctantly
● Evidence of long-term multiple injuries
● Signs of physical abuse or general physical neglect
● Eating disorder or poor nutrition
● Signs of self-harm
● Fatigue
● Non-specific symptoms of PTSD
● Symptoms of psychiatric or psychological problems
● Back or stomach pain, skin problems, headaches, and dizziness