How To Report Human Trafficking & Warning Signs To Look For If You Suspect A Person Being Trafficked

If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911. To report a tip of suspected sex trafficking please call the hotlines listed at the bottom of this page. Please note that Shared Hope is not a hotline and does not have the timely resources to respond to tips. Pimps/traffickers often exhibit the following behaviors or characteristics:

• Jealous, controlling and violent

• Significantly older than female companions

• Promise things that seem too good to be true

• Encourage victims to engage in illegal activities to achieve their goals and dreams

• Buys expensive gifts or owns expensive items

• Is vague about his/her profession

• Pushy or demanding about sex

• Encourages inappropriate sexual behavior

• Makes the victim feel responsible for his/her financial stability. Very open about financial matters.

Warning signs that an individual may be being trafficked:

• Physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts

• Unexplained absences from class

• Sexualized behavior

• Overly tired in class

• Withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out

• Brags about making or having lots of money

• Less appropriately dressed than before or new expensive clothes, accessories or shoes

• 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)

• Older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle

• Talks about wild parties or invites other students to attend parties

• Shows signs of gang affiliation (color colors, notebook doodles gang symbols, etc.)

TO REPORT A TIP with Anti-Trafficking Services in your Area National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national, anti-trafficking hotline and resource center serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. The toll-free hotline is answered live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. humantraffickinghotline.org The National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-RUNAWAY The National Runaway Switchboard serves as the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. NRS, with the support of more than 150 volunteers, handles an average of 100,000 calls annually – more than 3 million calls since the organization’s inception. Through hotline and online services, NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 1800RUNAWAY.org National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 As the nation’s clearinghouse and comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention of and recovery from child victimization, NCMEC leads the fight against abduction, abuse, and exploitation – because every child deserves a safe childhood. MissingKids.com

Resource: Shared Hope International

https://sharedhope.org/