Human trafficking is a complicated issue that requires various professionals to work together to combat it. These individuals include law enforcement, service providers, and the community.

Taking a human trafficking awareness and prevention course can help. This training is often required or encouraged for professionals to meet statutory requirements and keep up with the latest information.

Identifying Trafficking

Training equips healthcare professionals with the skills and resources to identify possible human trafficking victims and provide help. Whether a patient or family member has made an unusual change in behavior, is suddenly surrounded by new friends, or has unexplained absences, it may be a sign that someone is being exploited.

Human traffickers typically prey upon people who are vulnerable due to lack of employment opportunities, homelessness, poverty, domestic abuse, mental or physical disabilities, and a variety of other factors that can lead to hopelessness. These vulnerabilities are exacerbated by the lack of stability in their lives and can make them easy targets for recruitment through false promises of love, a better life, or work.

Human trafficking is a crime that can occur anywhere and to anyone. Often, victims are unaware they are being exploited and don’t know where to turn for help. This is why it’s so crucial for everyone to be aware of the signs and how to report them if they see them.

Identifying Resources

When dealing with human trafficking, knowing the local resources available to help victims is essential. Often, it is up to citizens to identify trafficking, and knowing where to look for these signs can be incredibly beneficial. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the available resources for those needing assistance, including the services offered by the human trafficking awareness and prevention course.

A great place to start is with the online courses, which provide free downloadable campaign materials and awareness training courses. You can learn more on their website. This includes information on identifying victims and how to raise the issue of human trafficking with others without jeopardizing their safety. Additionally, it discusses the types of people most likely to be trafficked and the various indicators that can be used to recognize a potential human trafficking situation. This website also offers a link to the indicator card. This 3.5×2 inch plastic card fits in a wallet or pocket and lists common indicators of trafficking and ways to report suspected human trafficking.

Identifying Vulnerable Populations

Regardless of age, gender, or race, anyone can become a victim of human trafficking. It can take various forms, from forced labor to commercial sexual activity. People who are homeless or battling mental illness can be particularly vulnerable to exploitation.

Vulnerable populations are often overlooked regarding anti-trafficking efforts but can be a significant source of information about local exploitation. Identifying specific risk factors for each population helps inform community-based prevention strategies and support services.

Training should also include a detailed breakdown of the different types of exploitation within the geographic area and describe relevant state, local, and tribal protections and resources. Avoid using images that sensationalize the issue or depict individuals in chains, blindfolded, or behind bars, as these reinforce misconceptions that individuals must be physically restrained to experience exploitation. Also, only use statistics that are based on data from reliable sources. If stats are used, training should indicate that they are estimates and provide a link to the National Human Trafficking Hotline for more information.

Identifying Signs of Trafficking

While human trafficking victims are often hidden behind locked doors, they can also work right in front of us at hotels, restaurants, factories, nail salons, construction sites, and agricultural fields. They may appear to have a legitimate job but are not paid for it and cannot leave if they want to. They might be unable to communicate with their family or have healthcare access. They might be afraid to accept help and fear being deported or harmed.

It’s essential to understand the common vulnerabilities that traffickers target and the factors that make people more vulnerable to trafficking so that we can identify possible signs of trafficking in our communities. Traffickers prey on people of all races, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. Still, people living in poverty or with limited English proficiency are more likely to be trafficked for sex or labor exploitation. Children can be trafficked for sexual exploitation as well and are frequently used by non-state armed groups.