Look Beneath the Surface-The person you've encountered may be a victim of human trafficking.

I recently attended a conference about human trafficking in the US. I wanted to share some things I learned in case any of you might find yourself wondering if that person you saw at the store or walking downtown might've been a victim of human trafficking, and what you should do about it.

The thing about victims of human trafficking is that they are not hidden, they are out in public all around us. This is how pimps sell their merchandise--by putting it on the street. And this doesn't just occur in deserted back alleys or the "bad side of town". Trafficking rings have been found running from suburban homes, nail salons, "massage parlors", and many other places that you wouldn't suspect.

If you've ever seen the "To Catch a Predator" shows, you know that there is no stereotype for the type of man that will prey on young children over the internet. You see blue collar, white collar, every possible race, ethnicity, and background. And it is the same with pimps. The men that abduct or lure away young children and teens in order to work them on the streets have no set stereotype. It could be anyone.

Also humans are trafficked around the world and the US not just for sex, but also for labor, so all the below signs apply when considering whether someone is being forced to work against their will.

So here is some advice and indicator signs we were given at the conference in order to help us identify if we have encountered a human trafficking victim:

-go with your gut. If you get a weird feeling that something isn't right, you should call someone if you're wrong, then you're wrong, but if you're right, you could've just saved a victim.

-person is accompanied by a controlling person or boss; not speaking on their own behalf
head down, won't make eye contact (or conversely stares at you or others as if silently pleading)

-lack of control over own schedule, money, ID, travel documents, etc.

-transported to or from work; lives and works in the same place

-debt owed to employer/crew leader; inability to leave job

-bruises, depression, fear, overly submissive

-child dressed way beyond their years with above indicators


A man who works here in Cedar Rapids with victims said to look for the "brick on head" clue. Meaning a person who won't look up or make eye contact, often times will be afraid to speak to you or others for fear of being watched or getting in trouble with their controller.

Here are some questions you can ask if you are able to speak to the individual:

-What type of work do you do?
-Are you being paid?
-Can you leave your job if you want?
-Can you come and go as you please?
-Have you or your family been threatened?
-What are your working and living conditions like?
-Where do you eat and sleep?
-Do you have to ask permission to eat/sleep/go to the bathroom?
-Are there locks on your doors/windows so you cannot get out?
-Has your identification or documentation been taken from you?

If you feel like something is wrong DO SOMETHING! Call 911, or the national trafficking hotline,
1-888-3737-888
give them a liscense plate number if you can. Use language that will get law enforcement officials attention, words like: human trafficking, force, coercion, etc.

Don't say things like, "I see a creepy guy." They will probably not take you seriously.

Finally, educate your kids about the danger. Stress to them to NEVER take a ride with strangers (esp. in their teenage years when they might think it's okay), monitor computer use very carefully, teach them self defence, let them know that if someone is abusing them it is NOT THEIR FAULT and that they can tell you.
A lot of abused children say nothing, either out of fear because the abuser has threatened them or bribed them, or because they feel that they will get into trouble for what happened to them.

Finally watch your kids in public! Predators tend to target kids that feel vulnerable or are troubled, have bad home lives or are neglected, but no child is safe.

At the conference, we learned that when the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed back in 2000, presented as evidence was a telephone book sized catalog of PRE-ABDUCTED children that was used for child "shopping" in trafficking rings.
There was photographs and descriptions, and these were children that were STILL with their families! This is incredibly frightening.

We all should know that this is going on and that it is a HUGE money-making industry, more lucrative then drugs, and thousands of people are trafficked every year.

So be vigilant with your own kids and in your community. Keep your eyes and ears open and look beneath the surface!