Understand Human Trafficking

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Watching For Traffickers

Traffickers can be anyone – business owners, members of a gang or network, parents or family members of victims, or intimate partners. Like victims, perpetrators of this crime can be of any race, ethnicity, or gender.

Traffickers use a variety of tactics to control their victims, such as:

  • Physical and emotional abuse and threats
  • Isolation from friends and family
  • Economic abuse
  • Monitor communications
  • Withhold food, shelter, and transportation

 

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Why Victims Don’t Come Forward

There are many reasons a victim may be afraid to come forward and get help, including they:

  • Don’t recognize they are a victim of human trafficking and/or don’t know their rights
  • May not be in possession of or have control of their identification documents
  • Have language barriers that make it difficult or feel impossible to reach out for help
  • Fear law enforcement and/or lack of trust in organizations that could help
  • Feel shame and embarrassment of their actions
  • Have had food, shelter, and transportation withheld
  • May have experienced threats made by their traffickers toward themselves and/or their loved ones
  • Fear deportation or putting fellow workers at risk

 

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Recognize the Signs

Human trafficking is a hidden crime. Be aware of these signs.

Labor Trafficking Signs

  • The individual is unpaid, paid very little, paid only through tips, or not paid directly
  • They work excessive or unusual hours and/or are not allowed to take breaks
  • They are unable to pay off a large debt that is owed
  • They were recruited under false promises
  • They live inside their place of work
  • May not have access to documents/passports/identification
  • Lacks knowledge of their location/area
  • Not allowed to control communication devices
  • Show signs of physical abuse

Sex Trafficking Signs

  • Avoidance of eye contact and interaction with others
  • The individual shows signs of distress, abuse, fear, anxiety, submission, despair, and/or nervousness
  • They are evasive in sharing their name, address, or other personal information
  • They have lack of knowledge about their whereabouts, such as city or state
  • Their stories seem scripted or inconsistent
  • They show signs of substance abuse or addiction, poor hygiene, malnourishment, or fatigue
  • Their money, identification, or passport documents are controlled by another person
  • Someone speaks for them and/or they are not free to come and go as they please
  • Have tattoos/branding related to being property/owned by trafficker (depersonalization)
  • Victims are trauma-bonded to their trafficker/feel they can’t live without their trafficker
  • Show signs of physical abuse

 

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Who is Vulnerable

People may be particularly vulnerable to trafficking if they:

  • Have an unstable living situation.
  • Have a history of domestic violence.
  • Have a caregiver or family member who has a substance abuse issue.
  • Are undocumented immigrants.
  • Are runaways or are involved in the juvenile justice or foster care system.
  • Are facing poverty or economic need.
  • Have a history of sexual abuse.
  • Are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
     
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Iowa Code

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