Learning the signs and reporting tips help us to identify victims in our community and connect them with the care and services they need. Remember, the items listed below may help to recognize human trafficking, but any one indicator is not necessarily proof of the crime. Even if you aren't sure, call us and we can help. (252) 473-3366

Does the individual:

• Not have control of their own money, identification or travel documents?
• Owe money to an employer or recruiter or are they not being paid what they were promised or owed?
• Work excessively long or unusual hours?
• Talk about getting paid very little or not at all for the work they do?
• Defer to another person to speak for them, or appear to be coached on what to say?
• Appear disconnected from family, friends, or community organizations?
• Have a controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner or "sponsor" who will not allow them to speak with anyone alone or monitors their movement, spending and communications?
• Have new tattoos or scars that would indicate branding by a trafficker?
• Seem to be with a boyfriend or girlfriend or romantic partner that is noticeably older?
• Refer to someone as being their "sugar daddy/momma" or refer to themselves as a "sugarbaby"?
• Work in dangerous conditions without safety gear, training, adequate breaks or other protections?
• Live in dangerous, overcrowded or inhumane conditions provided by an employer?
• Have an employer who refuses to give them a signed contract or forced to sign a contract in a language they can't read?
• Exhibit evidence of verbal threats, emotional abuse, or being treated in a demeaning way?
• Get threatened by their boss with deportation, criminal charges or harm to themselves or their family members?
• Have bruises or other signs of physical trauma?
• Lack personal possessions?
• Dress inappropriately for their age, or in out-of-season clothing?
• Seem deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care or other life necessities?
• Appear not to have freedom of movement?
• Act fearful, anxious, depress, submissive, tense, nervouse/paranoid, disassociated, of "checked out"?