The Signs
If we’re going to stop human trafficking we need everyone to open their eyes. It’s happening all over the world and it could be happening near you. So we all need to be more aware. Know what signs to look for. Then know what to do if you feel someone is being exploited.
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The signs to look for depend on where trafficking might take place. Click on the six situations below to discover the signs.
- A teenage girl meets an older male who becomes her boyfriend. Initially he flatters her, buys her gifts such as a mobile phone, and introduces her to alcohol or drugs. He makes her feel incredibly special.
- The man controls her more and more. He claims she owes him for drugs and forces her to do sexual favours as a means of payment.
- She is taken from her family home and returned after varying lengths of time; her relationship with her family or guardians gradually becomes severed.
- Pictures or films of her engaging in sex activities are used to make her feel guilty, fearful her family will find out. Her 'boyfriend' uses this to control her, making her sleep with his friends.
- He takes her to different flats (even in different towns or cities), getting her to sleep with different men.
- She may not know he is taking payment from these men either in money or illegal drugs.
