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Human trafficking is a crime in which force, fraud or coercion is used to compel a person to perform labor, services, or commercial sex. Trafficking does not require movement; individuals can be trafficked in their own home or country. Adults, children, men, women, foreign nationals, and U.S. citizens of all economic classes can be victims. Research indicates that 88% of trafficking victims will intersect with the healthcare system at some point during their exploitation, so it is especially important for healthcare professionals to know the signs of human trafficking and how to help. 

Signs an individual may be a victim of trafficking:

It is important to note that affected individuals may not self-identify as human trafficking victims and may blame themselves for their situation.

• Is not free to come and go at will
• Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts
• Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp/manager
• Is unpaid, paid very little, paid only through tips, or is not paid directly
• Works excessively long or unusual hours
• Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
• Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
• Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
• High security measures in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, barbed wire, etc.)
• Is living and working on site
• Experiences verbal or physical abuse by their supervisor
• Is not given proper safety equipment
• Is forced to meet daily quotas
• Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid
• Exhibits fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement or immigration officials
• Shows signs of substance abuse
• Shows signs of poor hygiene, malnourishment, and/or fatigue
• Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture
• Has few or no personal possessions
• Is frequently monitored
• Is not in control of their own money, financial records, bank account, or identification documents        
• Is not allowed/able to speak for themselves (a 3rd party may insist on being present or translating)
• Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where they are staying/address
• Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city they are in
• Appear to have lost sense of time
• Shares scripted, confusing, or inconsistent stories
• Protects the person who may be hurting them or minimizes abuse

Where to get help:

• For urgent situations, notify local law enforcement immediately by calling 911.
• Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline, a national 24-hour, toll-free, multilingual      anti-trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Call the hotline to report a tip; connect with anti-trafficking services in your area; or request training and technical assistance, general information, or specific anti-trafficking resources.

Brazos Valley and Surrounding Counties Help:

• Unbound Now – 979-985-2430
• Scotty’s House – 979-703-8813
• Trafficking & Exploitation Action Network – 979-217-1336
• Crime Victim’s Compensation Program – 800-983-9933
• Emergency Medical Care/Compensation – 800-983-9933
• Brazos County Attorney or Victim Assistance Coordinator – 979-361-4300
• Health for All (Free medical clinic) -  979-774-4176

Resources:

• Fact Sheet: https://www.state.gov/national-human-trafficking-prevention-month/ 
• 20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking: https://www.state.gov/20-ways-you-can-help-fight-human-trafficking/
• Identify and Assist a Trafficking Victim: https://www.state.gov/identify-and-assist-a-trafficking-victim/
• Red Flags for Sex Trafficking: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/human-trafficking-section/signs-trafficking/red-flags-sex-trafficking 
• Red Flags for Labor Trafficking: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/human-trafficking-section/signs-trafficking/red-flags-labor-trafficking