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                        Human TraffickingIn This Section
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          U.S. Department of Transportation Combating Human Trafficking
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      1200 New Jersey Avenue SEWashington, DC 20590United States
      
          
    **Phone:** 800-832-5660
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
                
                What is Human Trafficking?
    

    
    
    
      Human trafficking is a crime that involves the use of **force**, **fraud**, or **coercion**to obtain labor or a commercial sex act. All commercial sex involving a minor is legally considered human trafficking, regardless of force, fraud, or coercion.

Victims can be anyone – regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, education level, or citizenship status. Similarly, perpetrators of this crime also vary. Traffickers can be family members, partners, acquaintances, and strangers. They can act alone or as part of an organized criminal enterprise.

Language barriers and/or fear of their traffickers often keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a **crime hidden in plain sight.**

Signs of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking victims are often overlooked because people do not recognize the signs of human trafficking.

Recognizing the indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying potential victims. Human traffickers often use transportation systems to recruit and move victims. Bus stations, truck stops, rest areas, and transit centers are all places where human trafficking can occur.

When drivers know what to look for, they can serve as a community's eyes, ears, and voice.When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially more than one, report your suspicion— you could help someone find their road to freedom. When at transit stations, on the move, stopping for gas, at rest stops, and at your final destination, ask yourself the questions below when presented with a potential trafficking situation. Note that all indicators listed below are not present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking. If you notice something, don’t dismiss the feeling. Trust your instincts.

If you see (or suspect) any indicators of human trafficking, assess the situation. **Do not attempt to confront a suspected trafficker or engage with a victim, and call 9-1-1 if someone is in immediate danger.**

Download our handy indicator cards that list common signs to help commercial vehicle drivers and others recognize human trafficking.

Download Indicator Cards

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        **Is the person in possession of their own identification, cash/payment cards, and/or travel documents?**
        Traffickers often control victims’ identification and travel documents.

Similarly, victims might also defer to their trafficker or someone else with them who seems to be in control of the trafficking situation. For example, a trafficker may be in complete control of a victim's cash or debit/credit cards, and the victim may defer to their trafficker to pay for something as simple as a bottle of water.
  


      **Is the person being told not to speak or appearing coached on what to say?**
        Traffickers often communicate on behalf of their victims or coach their victims on what to say to community members, employees, law enforcement, and other officials.
  


      **Does the person lack knowledge or logical means of reaching their final destination?**
        When in a situation where the trafficker purchases travel for a victim, victims will often arrive to obtain their ticket and lack knowledge or logical means to get to their final destination (e.g., no cash, use of prepaid credit cards/paid for before arrival, or not knowing the name of the person who booked their travel/who they are going to visit).

They might also be wearing clothing that is unsuitable for the season or inappropriate for their final destination.
  


      **Do you hear citizens band (CB) radio chatter about a “commercial company,” "sale," or flashing lights in response?**
        One way traffickers advertise the need for customers at rest stops is through chatter on the CB radio that refers to “commercial company” or a "sale." Vehicles will then flash their lights to signal a “buyer’s” location. There are also many other common terms used in the CMV industry that reference commercial sex—you can learn more by reviewing Polaris’ Sex Trafficking at Truck Stops At-A-Glance document.
  


      **Is there a suspicious vehicle parked in an unusual location or often dropping off/picking up individual(s) at other vehicles/trucks?**
        Trucks come and go from truck stops and rest areas at all hours. However, if you notice a passenger vehicle that pulls up and people get out of the vehicle and begin approaching trucks, you might be witnessing a trafficking situation. Similarly, the same can be said if a vehicle drops someone off at a truck and picks them up 15-20 minutes later.
  


      **Is the person showing any indication that they have a manager or pimp?**
        Victims soliciting commercial sex might approach you and either (1) reference that they have a manager or pimp or (2) mention that they have to make a quota. These are often significant signs of a trafficking situation.
  


      **Is the person exhibiting physical signs of distress, abuse, or branding tattoos?**
        Some victims will often exhibit physical signs of distress when in a trafficking situation. They might have bruises in various stages of healing or may seem fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous, paranoid, timid, uncomfortable around another person, and even disoriented or confused. Victims may also exhibit deprivation of food, water, sleep, medical care, and/or other life necessities.
  


      **Is the person being threatened with harm, deportation, or law enforcement action/criminal charges?**
        Traffickers often threaten the victim and/or their family with harm, deportation, or law enforcement action if they attempt to leave, which often keeps victims from seeking help. While this indicator might not always be obvious, it is important to listen for this sign throughout your daily activities.
  


      **Does the person have restricted movement?**
        Human trafficking victims might not be able to freely leave a location, and access to transportation is a key obstacle for many victims trying to escape. Security cameras and locks are common wherever freight is delivered, but traffickers will often take unusual security measures to hide their activities. When traveling through cities and town, watch for barred or covered windows on houses, exterior cameras covering multiple areas, and buildings with alley entrances, especially if such measures seem out of place compared to the surroundings.
  


      **Have you seen the same person at multiple locations?**
        Traffickers often move victims to different locations in order to attract customers as well as avoid detection by law enforcement.
  
  How to Report Human Trafficking

**Be willing to take a second look, trust your instincts, and make the confidential call or text**. Real-time reports help local authorities intervene quicker. Some people tend not to report over the fear of being wrong—that should never be considered.

If you see (or suspect) any indicators of human trafficking, assess the situation. **Do not attempt to confront a suspected trafficker or engage with a victim.**Instead, please contact local law enforcement directly. Report to:

**9-1-1, if someone is in immediate danger**.
	**The National Human Trafficking Hotline**. *(Línea Directa Nacional de Trata de Personas)*
	Call 888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). *(Texto 233733 o BEFREE)*
		This hotline is a national, toll-free hotline available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The hotline is operated by a nongovernmental organization funded by the federal government; it is not a law enforcement or immigration authority.
	**Your company/organization**.
	Follow your company’s reporting policy if they have one in place.When describing the suspected human trafficking situation, describe specifically what you observed, including:

**Who**or **what**you saw (physical identifiers, nicknames overheard).
	**When**you saw it (date and time).
	**Where**it occurred (where you noticed the suspicious activity and any movement, if applicable).
	**Why**it’s suspicious.

    
          Last updated: Thursday, May 25, 2023 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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