Red Flags of Child Trafficking

Know The Signs...

Save A Child

Red Flags of Child Trafficking

Know The Signs...

Save A Child

Boys as Victims

Boys are often overlooked as possible victims of sex trafficking. Just like girls, boys are often lured into the sex trade in exchange for something of value, especially when they are attempting to survive on the street with no social or familial support. Male survivors of trafficking often face strong stigma from their communities, social service providers, and law enforcement, even though they are victims of a crime.

General Indicators of Child Trafficking

A victim may look like any other child or teenager you see every day. These are indicators of a child that is being trafficked:

Leaves home frequently and/or for significant periods of time
Shows signs of mental, physical, or sexual abuse
Uses street slang for sex work
Has a significantly older partner/spends a lot of time with a controlling person or older adult
Relies on another person to speak for them
Indications or reports of domestic violence/intimate partner violence
Lies about age or carries a fake form of identification
Describes a stalking situation
Lives in housing provided by employer
Significantly reduces contact with family, friends, or other support networks
Displays a pattern of staying in the homes of friends or a non-legally responsible adult
Older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle
Shows signs of gang affiliation (i.e.) a preference for specific colors, notebook doodles of gang symbols, etc.)
Less appropriately dressed than before or New expensive clothing and an additional phone that you did not buy
Reluctant to discuss how they make money, where they live, or how or when they came to the United States
Lacks control over schedule and/or money
Has large amounts of money or costly items they cannot reasonably afford
Brags about making or having lots of money (money belongs to the trafficker)
Involvement in systems (social services, PINS, courts, etc.)
Works more than they are in school or does not often attend school
Unexplained absences from school
Overly tired in class
Experiences suicidal ideations and/or depression
Youth has experienced multiple placements

Physical Indicators of Child Trafficking

Has untreated injuries
Signs of physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts
Has old and new injuries and/or is injured frequently
Explanations for injuries are inconsistent with their severity
Has had multiple sexually transmitted infections and/or abortions
Exhibits overt sexualized behavior
Exhibits evidence of sexual abuse
New tattoo (tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims. Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking)

Psychological/Behavioral Indicators of Child Trafficking

Has heightened sense of fear or distrust of authority
Is unwilling to disclose whereabouts or information about parents or caregivers
Is restricted in communication and/or displays anxious, fearful, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous behavior, withdrawn, distracted, or checked out
Is unwilling or unable to identify as a victim
Displays behaviors aligned with a trauma history or PTSD
Has many inconsistencies in their story
Multiple youths retell the same story, in the same way, many times, giving the appearance that the story has been coached
Fear of consequences is greater than circumstances would warrant (for example, being late)

Boys as Victims

General Indicators of Child Trafficking

A victim may look like any other child or teenager you see every day. These are indicators of a child that is being trafficked:

Leaves home frequently and/or for significant periods of time
Shows signs of mental, physical, or sexual abuse
Uses street slang for sex work
Has a significantly older partner/spends a lot of time with a controlling person or older adult
Relies on another person to speak for them
Indications or reports of domestic violence/intimate partner violence
Lies about age or carries a fake form of identification
Describes a stalking situation
Lives in housing provided by employer
Significantly reduces contact with family, friends, or other support networks
Displays a pattern of staying in the homes of friends or a non-legally responsible adult
Older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle
Shows signs of gang affiliation (i.e.) a preference for specific colors, notebook doodles of gang symbols, etc.)
Less appropriately dressed than before
Reluctant to discuss how they make money, where they live, or how or when they came to the United States
Lacks control over schedule and/or money
Has large amounts of money or costly items they cannot reasonably afford
Brags about making or having lots of money (money belongs to the trafficker)
Involvement in systems (social services, PINS, courts, etc.)
Works more than they are in school or does not often attend school
Unexplained absences from school
Overly tired in class
Experiences suicidal ideations and/or depression
Youth has experienced multiple placements

Physical Indicators of Child Trafficking

Has untreated injuries
Signs of physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts
Has old and new injuries and/or is injured frequently
Explanations for injuries are inconsistent with their severity
Has had multiple sexually transmitted infections and/or abortions
Exhibits overt sexualized behavior
Exhibits evidence of sexual abuse
New tattoo (tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims. Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking)

Psychological/Behavioral Indicators of Child Trafficking

Has heightened sense of fear or distrust of authority
Is unwilling to disclose whereabouts or information about parents or caregivers
Is restricted in communication and/or displays anxious, fearful, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous behavior, withdrawn, distracted, or checked out
Is unwilling or unable to identify as a victim
Displays behaviors aligned with a trauma history or PTSD
Has many inconsistencies in their story
Multiple youths retell the same story, in the same way, many times, giving the appearance that the story has been coached
Fear of consequences is greater than circumstances would warrant (for example, being late)