Several organizations train health care practitioners, social workers, law enforcement, and community members to identify individuals at risk of or who have experienced trafficking. The training focuses on person-centered language and does not retraumatize by including sensational details or images.
Recognizing the Signs of Trafficking
Recognizing the signs of trafficking is the first step in stopping it. Human trafficking awareness and prevention course will equip learners to look for and recognize key indicators of trafficking, including:
The person appears disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship. They may be working excessively, tense, paranoid, or fearful of authorities. They may have bruises in varying stages of healing. They might have a new name or tattoos that need to be explained. They might have a large amount of cash, expensive jewelry, or multiple phones without explaining where they got them.
Traffickers isolate their victims from their families, communities, and the public to hide them. As a result, many victims are difficult to identify in their day-to-day lives. They might have a legal job in a hotel, restaurant, or factory but work for little to no pay. They might also have a criminal record.
Understanding Trafficking
Whether you work in a convenience store, a hotel, a school, or any other industry, it is vital to recognize and report suspected human trafficking. This course is designed to help you identify the signs and understand what can be done to make your community safer. This self-paced course includes a curriculum developed by experts in the field. It is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills in identifying, responding, and supporting individuals who are victims/survivors of human trafficking. It includes research-based readings, case scenarios, multimedia materials, assignments, and quizzes.
Whether you work in the global air transportation system connecting businesses to markets, uniting friends and family, or facilitating tourism and cultural exchange, aviation staff must know the signs of human trafficking and what to do when they see them. This introductory course is the first step in understanding this complicated and hidden criminal activity. It also helps you to be better prepared to work with young people who may experience trafficking and how to support them in trauma-informed ways.
Identifying the Victims of Trafficking
As with any crime of exploitation, anyone can experience trafficking. But, evidence suggests that traffickers target people in marginalized communities who are at greater risk for exploitation. These include children in foster care or who have been removed from their homes; those with criminal records; women in sex crimes; and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as those with physical disabilities and mental health conditions. Generational trauma, historic oppression, and societal inequities can create additional vulnerabilities.
Providers must be vigilant in identifying victims. A detailed work and social history can help identify red flags. In addition, a knowledge of available victim protections and services in the community is critical. It is important to note that trafficking victims often do not self-identify or report being abused, and traffickers use a variety of tactics to keep their identities secret. This can include using a code word or text, controlling the person’s possessions, and hiding in hallways, lobbies, and waiting rooms.
Supporting the Victims of Trafficking
Educate community members about the unique needs of trafficking victims and available services. For example, healthcare professionals can learn how to identify individuals at risk of or have experienced human trafficking and connect them with local resources. Also, be sure that training materials reflect the broad spectrum of individuals who experience sex trafficking. It is important to show that men and boys, as well as people from all races, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, immigration statuses, and religions, can be victims of sex trafficking.
In addition, mentorship programs can help children from vulnerable communities who lack strong support systems and may be at risk of being recruited by traffickers. These programs can offer children, including foster kids, runaway and homeless youths, new and positive life experiences at a critical time.