Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign

When reporting suspected human trafficking activity, it is critical to include as many details as possible. Start by including basic information such as the method of transportation, point of departure, and final destination. Provide as much information about the suspected victim and trafficker as you can, including their physical descriptions. If known, include other identifiers, such as their names, date of birth, passport or driver’s license number, citizenship, telephone number, address, or the license plate of an involved vehicle. Then describe exactly what you saw or heard in detail. Keeping detailed notes can be helpful. 

When encountering suspected instances of human trafficking, do not alert the suspected victims or traffickers by confronting them or drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. Ensure the safety of the suspected victim, yourself, and others by reporting your tip as soon as possible.  

Reporting suspected human trafficking is always the right thing to do. By itself or combined with other information, your tip may help law enforcement build a case against a trafficker and help a victim. Reporting also helps to identify potential “hot spots” of activity that could help law enforcement break up a trafficking ring.  

Remember, it is not your responsibility to determine if a tip is actionable, or to directly investigate or intervene. That responsibility lies solely with law enforcement, and while their response might not be visibly apparent to you, be assured that your tip will be taken seriously. You may never know the outcome of the resulting investigation, but by reporting what you see, you just might assist someone in escaping. 

• 911  
  For immediate danger 
   
• National Human Trafficking Hotline 
  1-888-373-7888  
  or text INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733) 
  This national, toll-free hotline is 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. 
   
• The Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line 
  866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423)  
   
• 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, date of birth, passport or driver’s license number, citizenship, telephone number, address, license plate, etc.) 
• 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 

Download, share, and display general and mode-specific materials to help spread the message on how to identify and report suspected instances of human trafficking. 

• Display Materials
  • Multimodal Signs
  • Modal Posters
  • Modal Pocket Cards
  • Visor Cards
  • Modal Social Media Graphics
  • Modal TLAHT Graphics
     
• Training
  • TLAHT Combating Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector Awareness Training
  • Capacitación Para Crear Conciencia Sobre La Lucha Contra La Trata De Personas En El Sector Del Transporte
  • DOT/DHS Blue Lightning Initiative Training (aviation)
     
• Outreach Materials
  • TLAHT Sample Counter-Trafficking Leadership Statement
  • TLAHT Sample Talking Points
     
• State/Territory Awareness Laws
  • TLAHT Compendium of Human Trafficking Awareness State and Territory Laws: A Resource Guide

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. 

According to the International Labour Organization, 27.6 million people – or 3.5 out of every 1,000 – were victims of human trafficking in 2021, including 77% through forced labor and 23% through commercial sexual exploitation. Their average trafficking situation is 15.4 months. The majority of forced labor victims are male, and the majority of commercial sexual exploitation victims are women and girls. 

In the United States, children and adults of all genders are exploited through human trafficking across every state and territory, and in urban, rural, and tribal areas. In 2021, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 51,073 signals, or tips, from every state, worked on 10,360 cases, and helped 16,710 victims. Of the labor trafficking situations, 81% were adults, 13% were minors, 50% were female, and 55% were foreign nationals. Of the commercial sex trafficking situations, 62% were adults, 28% were minors, 84% were females, and 4% were foreign nationals. 

Commercial sex trafficking may be found in the stripping, illicit massage, escort, prostitution, and pornography industries, among others. Forced labor can occur in every industry, but housekeeping, childcare, construction, farming, and the food service industries are particularly vulnerable. 

Victims of human trafficking can be lured in many ways, including with false promises of a better life, employment, educational opportunities, stable and conflict-free environments, temporary housing, access to basic necessities, or even a seemingly loving family, relationship, marriage, or home. Victims that live in economically disadvantaged or dangerous situations may be particularly vulnerable to false or misleading information. And in the U.S., 41% of sex trafficking victims are recruited online, making the Internet the most common place where victim recruitment takes place.  

Victims can be anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, religion, national origin, education level, or citizenship status. Similarly, perpetrators of human trafficking also vary. Traffickers can be a victim’s friend, family member, romantic partner, employer, acquaintance, or a complete stranger. 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. 

Internationally, a 2020 analysis of over 80,000 trafficked persons from 171 countries by the Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative, a United Nations International Organization for Migration initiative, found that human trafficking occurs across roadways, railways, airways, and waterways. Of the nearly 80% of international human trafficking cases that crossed official border points, most were by bus, train, and airplanes. Unofficial border point methods were primarily by car and bus. 

In the U.S., survivors report being trafficked across all modes of transport. In a 2018 Polaris survey of 104 survivors, the most common forms were by the trafficker’s vehicle, bus, taxi, rental vehicles, airplane, and rail.    

Human trafficking is a distinct crime from human smuggling, as human trafficking is the illegal exploitation of a person and does not require movement. Human smuggling is the illegal movement of a person across a border, but it can turn into human trafficking. 

Human trafficking victims are often overlooked because people do not recognize the signs of human trafficking. When travelers and transportation employees know what to look for, they can serve as a community's eyes, ears, and voice. Recognizing the indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying potential victims.  

Human trafficking victims can be of any age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, religion, national origin, education level, or citizenship status.  Rather than being motivated by any single classification, human trafficking indicators identify objective signs that could indicate potential criminal activity.  While no single indicator can confirm a human trafficking situation, several combined indicators may increase the likelihood that a person is being trafficked, or actively being targeted and recruited.   

No matter how many indicators are present, it is not proof of human trafficking. Whether or not to act on a tip is up to law enforcement, and their response may not be visibly apparent. 

While every situation is unique, there are four categories of indicators regarding possible human trafficking activity that you may encounter.  These include individuals appearing to be controlled, avoidant, abused, or unaware.  

• Control: Traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion – or a combination – to control victims. One form of control is to ensure that victims don’t leave the trafficker’s side; but a trafficker does not always have to be present to exert control. Some traffickers maintain control of their victim’s ID, travel documents, tickets, boarding passes, money, and phone. If you notice that a traveler lacks control of his or her own documents, ask yourself, “Why?”  Is it for convenience and safekeeping? Or are the documents being used as a control mechanism to restrict a person’s freedom? Another controlled indicator is a person who is unusually submissive towards their traveling companion. As a result of being coerced, a victim may defer questions to a trafficker out of fear of being punished for speaking. The trafficker might even interrupt questions, answering on behalf of the victim before they have a chance to fully respond. 
   

• Avoidant/Abused: As a result of their treatment, trafficking victims may show indicators of abuse, neglect, paranoia, fear, and stress. They may seem unusually silent, intimidated, mentally shut down, and possibly drugged. In addition to behavioral changes, indicators of physical abuse like bruises, cuts, and broken bones might be evident. Other indicators of physical abuse are malnourishment, exhaustion, fatigue, and poor hygiene. 
   

• Unaware: Another indicator is when an individual is logistically unaware of where they are, where they are going, or how they might arrive at their final destination. For transportation employees, in the course of your regular interactions, you may notice that something seems not quite right. If a passenger happens to share their travel plans with you, are they logical or even possible? Do they know the contact information for the person who will be meeting them or the address of their final destination? If a passenger happens to mention anticipated employment, do they have unrealistic information, such as the amount of money they’ll be earning? Do they have very limited information about the specifics of the position? These may be possible indicators of human trafficking. 

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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. Following are general indicators of human trafficking. 

• Traveling with few or no belongings (e.g., no purse or wallet), especially for long distance travel.
• Logistically unaware of where they are, where they are going, or where they have been. 
• No control of identification, documents, and/or money. 
• Minors traveling without adult supervision. 
• Minors traveling during the school day. 
• A minor who does not appear to be accompanied by their legitimate parent or guardian. 
• A child/person within a family appearing particularly unkempt and uncared for. 
• Controlled or unusually submissive to a traveling companion. 
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them). 
• Answers may sound scripted or inconsistent; provides inconsistent stories in contrast with travel companion(s). 
• Appears to be with a noticeably older romantic partner. 
• Appears to be with a group of girls traveling with an older, unrelated adult. 
• References frequent travel to other cities or towns. 
• Has a language barrier with their travel companion. 
• Signs of verbal threats, physical and emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Signs of malnourishment, poor hygiene, fatigue, sleep deprivation, untreated illness, injuries, and/or unusual behavior
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, depressed, nervous, hypervigilant, or submissive behavior. 
• Exhibits signs of self-harm/suicidal ideation. 
• May appear drugged, disassociated, disoriented, or to have lost sense of time or location. 
• Accompanied by a non-genuine parent/guardian. 
• Offers to exchange sex for transportation, food, shelter, or assistance. 
• Improper clothing and inadequate workplace equipment for job, weather, age, or travel route.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay. 
• Did not receive a work contract or did not receive a work contract in their native language.
• Feels pressured, manipulated, or forced to work beyond their existing work contact without their consent.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.
• Pays exorbitant recruitment fees necessitating having taken on a debt to a third party.
• Lies about identity and/or age. 
• Minors seeking to obtain an ID or individuals seeking to obtain an ID in a different name. 
• Uses prepaid credit cards and gift cards.
• Deposits large amounts multiple times in one day.
• Avoids and distrusts authority figures, including law enforcement, and may be combative. 
• Indicates that they have been threatened with deportation or law enforcement action. 
• Indicates they are being held against their will. 
• Shows signs of criminal indicators, such as possession of drugs, stolen property, etc. 
• Acknowledges that they are controlled by a third party or is making a quota. 

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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. 

• Does not know the person who purchased their ticket, is picking them up, and/or is traveling with them. 
• Traveling on a one-way, last-minute, or same-day booking paid by someone else in cash.
• Traveling to obtain a job with no specific information, such as who will be meeting them.
• Logistically unaware of where they are, where they are going, or where they have been.
• A minor who does not appear to be accompanied by their legitimate parent or guardian. 
• A child/person within a family appearing particularly unkempt and uncared for. 
• Using false identity or travel documents.
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them).
• Answers may sound scripted or inconsistent.
• Recruited for different work than currently doing.
• Improper clothing for job, weather, or travel route.
• Did not receive a work contract or did not receive a work contract in their native language.
• Feels pressured, manipulated, or forced to work beyond their existing work contact without their consent.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.
• Pays exorbitant recruitment fees necessitating having taken on a debt to a third party.
• Lies about identity and/or age. 
• Traveling with little or no money or personal items, such as luggage or carry-on bags. 
• Does not know their home or work address. 
• Does not know what city they are in or where they have been. 
• Has no logical means of reaching, or lacks knowledge of, final destination. 
• No freedom of movement or social interaction (e.g., using the lavatory unaccompanied). 
• Comes from a location or State known as a source or destination for trafficking in persons. 
• Seems unaware of what items are in their checked baggage. 

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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.

• Does not know the person who purchased their ticket/ride, is picking them up, and/or is traveling with them.  
• Traveling on a one-way, last-minute, or same-day booking paid by someone else in cash. 
• Traveling to obtain a job with no specific information, such as who will be meeting them. 
• Traveling with few or no belongings. 
• Logistically unaware of where they are, where they are going, or where they have been. 
• No control of identification, documents, and/or money. 
• Minors traveling without adult supervision. 
• Minors traveling during the school day. 
• A minor who does not appear to be accompanied by their legitimate parent or guardian. 
• A child/person within a family appearing particularly unkempt and uncared for. 
• Controlled or unusually submissive to a traveling companion. 
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them). 
• Signs of verbal threats, emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, or submissive behavior. 
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.  
• Offers to exchange sex for a ride, food, shelter, or assistance. 
• Lies about identity and/or age.  
• Signs of bedding in odd locations (i.e., backroom of a store). 

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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. 

• A child dropping off and picking up children at the bus stop. 
• Changes in patterns, such as attendance, personal hygiene, academic performance, or people waiting to pick them up. 
• Changes in attire, behavior, relationships, or materials possessions (e.g., expensive items)
• Signs of fatigue, substance use, irritability, mood swings, panic, or shame that weren’t there before. 
• Signs of neglect, physical and emotional abuse, malnourishment, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, or submissive behavior. 
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them).
• Answers may sound scripted or inconsistent.
• Minors seeking to obtain an ID or individuals seeking to obtain an ID in a different name. 
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay. 
• Mentions owing a large debt and being unable to pay it off.
• Any comments by students that suggest they are exchanging sex for money, material items, shelter, etc. 

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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. 

• Does not know the person who purchased their ticket, is picking them up, and/or is traveling with them. 
• Traveling on a one-way, last-minute, or same-day booking paid by someone else in cash.
• Traveling to obtain a job with no specific information, such as who will be meeting them.
• May travel with few or no belongings.
• Logistically unaware of where they are, where they are going, or where they have been.
• No control of identification, documents, and/or money.
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them).
• Answers may sound scripted or inconsistent.
• Signs of verbal threats, emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way. 
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, or submissive behavior.
• Recruited for different work than currently doing.
• Improper clothing and inadequate workplace equipment for job, weather, or travel route.
• Did not receive a work contract or did not receive a work contract in their native language.
• Feels pressured, manipulated, or forced to work beyond their existing work contact without their consent.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.
• Pays exorbitant recruitment fees necessitating having taken on a debt to a third party.
• Lies about identity and/or age. 
• Uses prepaid credit cards and gift cards.

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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. 

• Does not know the person who purchased their ticket, is picking them up, and/or is traveling with them.  
• Traveling on a one-way, last-minute, or same-day booking paid by someone else in cash. 
• Traveling to obtain a job with no specific information, such as who will be meeting them. 
• Traveling with few or no belongings. 
• Logistically unaware of where they are, where they are going, or where they have been. 
• No control of identification, documents, and/or money. 
• Minors traveling without adult supervision. 
• Minors traveling during the school day. 
• A minor who does not appear to be accompanied by their legitimate parent or guardian. 
• A child/person within a family appearing particularly unkempt and uncared for. 
• Controlled or unusually submissive to a traveling companion. 
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them). 
• Signs of verbal threats, emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, or submissive behavior. 
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.  
• Offers to exchange sex for transportation, food, shelter, or assistance. 
• Improper clothing and inadequate workplace equipment for job, weather, or travel route.
• Did not receive a work contract or did not receive a work contract in their native language.
• Feels pressured, manipulated, or forced to work beyond their existing work contact without their consent.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.
• Pays exorbitant recruitment fees necessitating having taken on a debt to a third party.
• Lies about identity and/or age. 
• Uses prepaid credit cards and gift cards.

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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. 

• Does not know the person who purchased their ride, is meeting them, and/or is traveling with them.  
• Traveling to obtain a job with no specific information, such as who will be meeting them. 
• A minor who does not appear to be accompanied by their legitimate parent or guardian. 
• Controlled or unusually submissive to a traveling companion. 
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them). 
• Signs of verbal threats, emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, or submissive behavior. 
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay. 
• Offers to exchange sex for transportation, food, shelter, or assistance. 
• Improper clothing and inadequate workplace equipment for job, weather, or travel route.
• Did not receive a work contract or did not receive a work contract in their native language.
• Feels pressured, manipulated, or forced to work beyond their existing work contact without their consent.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.
• Pays exorbitant recruitment fees necessitating having taken on a debt to a third party.
• Lies about identity and/or age. 
• Signs of bedding in odd locations (i.e., backroom of a store). 

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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. 

• A minor who does not appear to be accompanied by their legitimate parent or guardian. 
• Controlled or unusually submissive to a traveling companion. 
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them). 
• Signs of verbal threats, emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership.
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, or submissive behavior. 
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay. 
• Minors seeking to obtain an ID or individuals seeking to obtain an ID in a different name. 
• Offers to exchange sex for transportation, food, shelter, or assistance. 
• Improper clothing and inadequate workplace equipment for job, weather, or travel route.
• Did not receive a work contract or did not receive a work contract in their native language.
• Feels pressured, manipulated, or forced to work beyond their existing work contact without their consent.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.
• Pays exorbitant recruitment fees necessitating having taken on a debt to a third party.
• Lies about identity and/or age. 
• Uses prepaid credit cards and gift cards.

When you see indicators of human trafficking, especially several, report your suspicions. 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. 

• Citizens band (CB) radio chatter about “commercial company” or flashing lights signaling “buyer” location. 
• A work site that has heavy or excessive security measures that seem out of place. 
• A van or RV out by trucks that seems out of place. 
• A vehicle dropping someone off at a truck and picking them up 15-20 minutes later. 
• May go from truck to truck or appear to be operating multiple trucks at once. 
• Spends excessive amounts of time near or in the truck stop showers and bathrooms. 
• A highly controlled and/or hazardous, unsafe work setting (may contain sub-standard, unsafe and closely monitored housing). 
• Traveling to obtain a job with no specific information, such as who will be meeting them. 
• Traveling with few or no belongings. 
• Logistically unaware of where they are, where they are going, or where they have been. 
• No control of identification, documents, and/or money. 
• Minors traveling without adult supervision. 
• Minors traveling during the school day. 
• A minor who does not appear to be accompanied by their legitimate parent or guardian. 
• A child/person within a family appearing particularly unkempt and uncared for. 
• Controlled or unusually submissive to a traveling companion. 
• Not allowed to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on speaking for them). 
• Signs of verbal threats, emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way.  
• Signs of burns, tattoos, or branding to denote ownership. 
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, or submissive behavior. 
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay. 
• Minors seeking to obtain an ID or individuals seeking to obtain an ID in a different name. 
• Offers to exchange sex for transportation, food, shelter, or assistance. 
• Improper clothing and inadequate workplace equipment for job, weather, or travel route.
• Did not receive a work contract or did not receive a work contract in their native language.
• Feels pressured, manipulated, or forced to work beyond their existing work contact without their consent.
• Works excessively long hours, is provided few or no breaks, and/or has indicated their employer is withholding pay.
• Pays exorbitant recruitment fees necessitating having taken on a debt to a third party.
• Lies about identity and/or age. 
• Uses prepaid credit cards and gift cards.