Traffickers use force, fraud and coercion to control their victims. Any minor engaged in commercial sex is a victim of human trafficking. Trafficking can occur in many locations, including truck stops, restaurants, rest areas, brothels, strip clubs, private homes, etc. Truckers are the eyes and the ears of our nation’s highways. If you see a minor working any of those areas or suspect that the person selling sex is under someone else’s control in order to make a quota, call the National Hotline and report your tip: 1-888-3737-888(US) – 1-800-222-TIPS (Canada) Test INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733)
For law enforcement to open an investigation on your tip, they need “actionable information”. Specific tips helpful when reporting to the hotline would include:
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Descriptions of cars (make, model, color, license plate number, etc.) and people (height, weight, hair color, eye color, age, etc.) Take a picture if you can.
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Specific times and dates (When did you see the event in question take place? What day was it?
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Addresses and locations where suspicious activity took place
MAKE THE CALL – SAVE LIVES
Questions to Ask:
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Do you keep your own money? If not, who does?
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Do your parents/siblings/relatives know where you are? If not, why not?
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When was the last time you saw your family?
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Are you physically or sexually abused? Are you or your family threatened? What is the nature of the threats?
Trafficking Red Flags to Look For:
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Lack of knowledge of their community or whereabouts
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Restricted of controlled communication-not allowed to speak for self
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CB chatter about “commercial company” or flashing lights signaling “buyer” location
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Not in control of own identification documents (ID/passport)
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Any acknowledgement that she/he has a pimp and is making a quota
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Signs of branding or tattooing of trafficker’s name (often on the neck)