human trafficking

• Typically occurs in residences, truck stops, fake massage businesses, strip clubs, and hotels or motels.
• Not considered prostitution.
• Any child under 18 years old engaging in commercial sex is a victim of sex trafficking - no exceptions.

• Typically found in small businesses, large farms, and the hospitality industry.
• Compelled to work for little or no pay, often manufacturing or growing the products we use and consume every day.

GENERAL INDICATORS

Each indicator alone may not necessarily mean a person is being trafficked.

Individuals show signs of:

• Fear, anxiety, tension, submission, and/or nervousness
• Physical abuse, restraint, and/or confinement

Individuals exhibit evidence of:

• Verbal threats, emotional abuse, and/or being treated in a demeaning way
• Malnourishment, poor hygiene, fatigue, sleep deprivation, untreated illness, injuries, and/or unusual behavior

Individuals:

• Lack freedom of movement or are constantly monitored
• Avoid eye contact and interaction with others
• Have no control over or possession of money or ID
• Dress inappropriately for their age or have lower quality clothing compared to others in their party
• Have few or no personal items—such as no luggage or other bags
• Individuals appear to be with a significantly older “boyfriend” or in the company of older males

A group of:

• Girls appears to be traveling with an older female or male
• Males or females with identical tattoos in similar locations. This may indicate “branding” by a trafficker.

You already have an operations plan and an employee handbook. Why not consider including a section on how your organization is prepared to handle Human Trafficking – to protect your employees, your customers and your business.

• Create and clearly state your tolerance policy for human trafficking.
• Establish clear expectations for employee behavior and responses.
• Set clear criteria for reporting incidents or suspicious activity.
• Provide emergency procedures.
• Train your employees.

For Housekeeping, Maintenance, and Room Service Staff

Housekeeping, maintenance, and room service staff typically have the most access to guest rooms where signs of human trafficking may be apparent. Being conscious of human trafficking indicators can help identify possible human trafficking activities and victims.

In general, be aware of:

• Signs – “Do Not Disturb” sign is constantly hanging on the door
• Refusal for typical services
• Denies entry to room after requesting room or housekeeping services (additional towels, new linens, and so one)
• Refuses cleaning services for multiple days
• Usual artifacts in the room
• Children’s items or clothing but no child is registered with the room
• Evidence of pornography
• Excessive amounts of alcohol or illegal drugs
• Excessive amounts of cash
• Excessive amounts of sex paraphernalia in rooms (condoms, lubricant, lotion, and so on)
• Extended stay with few or no personal possessions
• Presence of multiple computers, cell phones, pagers, credit card swipes, or other technology
• Provocative clothing and shoes
• Rooms stocked with merchandise, luggage, mail packages, and purses/wallets with different names
• Smell of bodily fluids and musk
• Unusual guest behaviors
• Constant flow of men into a room at all hours
• Excessive number of people staying in a room
• Individuals leaving room infrequently, not at all, or at odd hours
• Individuals loitering in hallways or appearing to monitor the area
• Minors left alone in room for long periods of time
• The same person reserving multiple rooms

**For Concierge, Bellman, Front Desk, Security, and Valet Staff

Concierge, bellman, front desk, security, and valet staff are typically the first to see guests when they enter the hotel. When checking in or requesting hotel amenities, a guest may exhibit behavior indicating human trafficking.

In general, be aware of:

• Unusual behaviors upon arrival
• Few or no personal items when checking in
• Guests are not forthcoming about full names, home address or vehicle information when registering
• Guests checking into a room appear distressed or injured
• Individuals checking into room have no identification
• Room paid for with cash or pre-loaded credit card
• Room is rented hourly, less than a day, or for long-term stay that does not appear normal
• Room rented has fewer beds than patrons
• The same person reserving multiple rooms
• Usual behaviors during visit
• The car in the parking lot is regularly parked backward so the license plate is not visible
• Excessive use of hotel computers for adult oriented or sexually explicit websites
• Guests request information or access to adult services or sex industry
• Individuals enter/exit through the side or rear entrances, instead of the lobby
• Individuals get dropped off at the hotel or visit repeatedly over a period of time.
• Individuals leave the room infrequently, not at all, or at odd hours
• Individuals selling items to or begging from patrons or staff
• Unusual behaviors involving a minor
• Minor taking on adult roles or behaving older than actual age (paying bills, requesting services)
• Minor with a patron late night or during school hours (and not on vacation)
• Guest appears with a minor that he or she did not come with originally
• Rentals of pornography when children are staying in the room

**For Food and Beverage Staff

Food and beverage staff may have access to a guest’s room or see them using the hotel restaurant or bar. Be conscious of these signs indicating a guest may be a victim of human trafficking.

Individuals:

• Loitering and soliciting male patrons
• Waiting at a table or bar and picked up by a male (trafficker or customer)
• Asking staff or patrons for food or money
• Taking cash or receipts left on tables

Guests:

• Entertaining a minor at the bar or restaurant that he/she did not come in with originally
• Claiming to be an adult even though his/her appearance suggests he/she is a minor
• Each indicator alone may not necessarily mean a person is being trafficked.

Do

• Get help from highly trained specialists!
• Call 9-1-1: Threats of violence, physical assault, emergency medical needs, and so on
• Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE(1-866-347-2423): Report suspicious criminal activity to federal law enforcement
• Call 1-888-373-7888: For help from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)
• Text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
• Submit a tip at  www.ice.gov/tips

Do Not

• Attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly
• Alert a victim to your suspicions.