VICTIM

Blue Campaign
IDENTIFICATION

Mission
NGO,
FAITH BASED GROUP

What You Can Do

1. Learn the signs. Order our Indicator Cards, which are convenient wallet-sized cards in 17 languages that list
the key signs. You can distribute these cards in your local area to people who may come in contact with
victims. Learn more at: www.dhs.gov/bluecampaign.

2. Report human trafficking tips.

To report suspicious human trafficking activity or get help from federal law enforcement,
call 1-866-347-2423 or submit a tip online at www.ice.gov/tips.

Individuals across the world can report suspicious criminal activity to the Homeland Security Investigations’
(HSI) Tipline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. The Tipline is accessible internationally by
calling 802-872-6199. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement
agencies on more than 400 laws enforced by HSI, including those related to human trafficking.

Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 to:
• Get help and connect with a service provider in your area;
• Provide information on potential human trafficking activity; or WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• Learn more by requesting training, technical assistance, or resources. Identifying victims and reporting suspected cases of human trafficking
The NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. The NHTRC is not a law enforcement or immigration authority
and is operated by a non-governmental organization.

3. Educate yourself and your community. Take our free, interactive online training to learn more about human
trafficking and other indicators you should be aware of, and ask others you know to take the training. Go to:
www.dhs.gov/bluecampaign.

4. Spread the word! Tell colleagues about Blue Campaign, the many available programs we offer, and how to
join us in combating human trafficking. Give a 5-minute “coffee break” training to your co-workers, friends,
family, and anyone who is interested. Available at www.dhs.gov/bluecampaign.

5. Visit the Blue Campaign website. For more training, outreach materials, victim assistance materials, and
information on how you can join the fight to end human trafficking, go to: www.dhs.gov/bluecampaign.
“Like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bluecampaign. Or, contact us at: [email protected].
Blue Campaign
Mission

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Signs of Human Trafficking

Identifying victims and reporting suspected cases of By identifying victims and reporting tips, you are doing your part to help law enforcement rescue victims, and
you might save a life. You can connect victims to services such as medical and mental health care, shelter, job
human trafficking training, and legal assistance that restore their freedom and dignity. Your safety as well as the victim’s safety
is paramount. Do not at any time attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alert a victim to your
Victims May Be in Plain Sight suspicions. The presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking. It is
up to law enforcement to investigate suspected cases of human trafficking.
Teachers, nurses, social workers, faith-based leaders, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are members
of communities and are likely to encounter—and identify and help—trafficking victims. You should learn about
the signs and indicators of human trafficking. This is the first step toward identifying victims and bringing • Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations,
traffickers to justice, which can help keep your community safe. or houses of worship?
• Has the child stopped attending school?
• Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
Trafficking Victims Are in Our Communities
• Is the juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
• Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
They can be any age, race, gender or nationality, including U.S. citizens
• Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
They may or may not have legal immigration status. Victims are found in both legitimate and illegitimate labor sectors;
• Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
some are lured with false promises of well-paying jobs, or even love. They may be found in places of worship, schools,
homes, hotels, restaurants, construction sites, farms, bus and train stations, airports, neighborhood parks, truck stops • Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
and highway rest areas; or in massage parlors, bars and strip clubs. Often, they are forced or coerced into domestic • Is the person often in the company of someone that he or she defers to? Or someone who
servitude, farm or factory labor, or other types of forced labor, or commercial sex (prostitution). Under federal law, seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
every minor induced to engage in commercial sex is a victim of human trafficking. • Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
• Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
How Traffickers Operate • Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
Traffickers prey on people with little or no social safety net. They look for people who are vulnerable for a variety • Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are
of reasons, including economic hardship, violence in the home, natural disasters, or political instability. Traffickers there unreasonable security measures?
use a variety of strategies to trap and enslave people, including not only violence or threats of violence, but also
psychological coercion. This trauma can be so great that many may not identify themselves as victims or ask for help,
even in highly public settings.

Traffickers often operate by:

• Using violence or threatening the person or the person’s family members;
• Harming or depriving the person of basic necessities, such as food, water, or sleep;
• Making false promises of love or companionship;
• Making false promises of a good job and home;
• Preventing the victim from attending religious services;
• Restricting contact with friends or family;
• Limiting freedom of movement;
• Controlling the person’s identification documents;
• Threatening deportation or law enforcement action; and/or
• Garnishing the person’s salary to pay off alleged debts.