Women who are or have been victims of human trafficking often exhibit certain characteristic signs.

Remember, it is important that we all make a difference!

Typically, these women:

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• feel trapped in a web with no safe way out

• work in an informal and often illegal environment, or within a hidden world

• reside in the country illegally, having been "imported" as victims of trafficking

• have had their personal documents taken from them and fear deportation

• have limited knowledge of their rights and legal options

• have limited personal freedom

• are highly mobile, frequently moving from city to city

• are passed from one trafficker to another

• have very likely experienced physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, as well as threats of violence against themselves or their families

• are subject to violence, fines, and sanctions imposed by the traffickers or their pimps

• often lie about their age, especially if they are minors

• are trapped in situations involving debt bondage or other severe obligations linked to organized crime, corrupt officials—particularly in Southern Europe—and similar circumstances.

• experience ethnic, social, and significant gender-based discrimination

• adopt self-protective responses and often exhibit symptoms of trauma and stress—manifesting as a distorted sense of time or space, memory loss regarding specific events, and an underestimation of dangerous risks (e.g., in interactions with clients)

 

While it may be tempting to offer medical assistance, supplies, or gifts to a victim, even women who have endured the most dire circumstances may choose to decline such offers. Therefore, it is always essential to obtain the woman’s consent before taking any action on her behalf.

 

Asking a woman to speak about experiences that were terrifying, humiliating, and painful can trigger extreme anxiety. Many women feel ashamed of what they have done or what has happened to them; for these individuals, undergoing an interview about their experiences—for instance, with a social worker or an NGO aid worker—can be highly stressful and traumatic.

 

It is important to recognize that many women experience a degree of stress or discomfort when certain topics are discussed; however, it is equally important to understand that, for many, discussing these issues and being listened to can also be therapeutic. The interviewer must always remember that sensitive subjects should be addressed with great care and professionalism.

 

Source: WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women, World Health Organization 2003

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Indicators of Human Trafficking – Thematic Report.​

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The Centre against Human Trafficking presents both general and specific indicators of human trafficking in a thematic report (link below).

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The report provides insight into how NGOs and authorities use indicators to detect and identify individuals subjected to human trafficking. Indicators also form the core of the aforementioned web-scraping project, in which sex advertisements are analyzed for potential human trafficking.

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However, indicators cannot stand alone. Practical experience and knowledge regarding human trafficking play an equally significant role in the detection and assessment of individuals subjected to human trafficking. The thematic report aims to provide inspiration and guidance on how we can strengthen the detection of human trafficking by using indicators as a tool.

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- Ordinary members of the public can also look out for potential indicators that someone may be a victim of human trafficking. Read more about how here.

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