Human Trafficking Red Flags
- Youth has a runaway history or is homeless.
- Youth is involved with juvenile court (criminal trespassing, shoplifting, false name, substance abuse, etc).
- Youth has a substance abuse issues.
- Youth has school problems (truancy, suspension).
- Youth has unexplained money.
- Youth has hair and nails done and cannot explain how he/she had the resources to get those things done.
- Youth has an open DFCS case.
- Youth is with a significantly older boyfriend/companion or other non-family member.
- Unexplained physical trauma: bruises, black eye, cuts or other marks.
- Unexplained emotional trauma: fear, anxiety, depression, tension, nervousness.
- Youth is traveling with older person that is a non-family member and/or not a guardian.
- Youth has special marked tattoos or branding on his/her body.
- Youth has possession of prepaid credit cards, hotel keys/receipts.
- Youth has no identification or is not in control of the identification documents.
- Youth provides conflicting personal information to law enforcement.
- Youth is dressed inappropriately, i.e., not weather appropriate, revealing, etc.
- Youth avoids eye contact.