Unveiling the Shadows: 7 Critical Signs to Detect Child Trafficking

A split second. That’s all the time it takes for a child to go missing. Someone was watching, waiting, lurking in the dark. They’ve become adept at luring children away and emboldened to even snatch them in broad daylight. A nightmare most parents never want to imagine, yet an unfortunate reality for too many. Their children are gone without a trace. Knowing what to look for to help spot child traffickers can help save someone’s child one day.

What is child trafficking?

Child trafficking is legally defined as the illegal movement of children, typically for the purposes of forced labor or sexual exploitation. This is most commonly how child trafficking victims are exploited.

From 2000 through 2022, there was an estimated 10,775 human trafficking cases. Of those cases, only 2,929 prosecuting cases were filed, convicting 4,477 human traffickers. According to the Federal Human Trafficking Report, “In 2018, over half (51.6%) of the criminal human trafficking cases active in the U.S. were sex trafficking cases involving only children.” Traffickers use social media platforms to recruit and advertise victims of human trafficking. The U.S. is a top destination for child trafficking, and yes, it is happening in your community.

Sadly, child trafficking has become more lucrative and less dangerous than selling drugs or guns in this country. The United States federal government has become the “middleman” in a multi-billion dollar human trafficking operation targeting unaccompanied minors at the southern border, a whistleblower told Congress’s House Judiciary Committee in April 2022. There has been a 62% increase in child trafficking offenses since 2011.

You may be asking how do we spot child trafficking and the victims. Here are 7 signs to look for:

1. Lack of identifying information: Most children aren’t issued their own ID’s, but the parents or guardians normally have the birth certificate and social security card to prove the child’s identity. Beware of stories of an “uncle” or “family friend” who has no identifying documents for a child they are traveling with, and just wants to get by. Nowadays, you can simply call the parents/guardians and ask for a screenshot of the identifying information in simple cases. If they can’t produce it at all, that’s a red flag. Traffickers may also confiscate identifying information because the child has been or will be reported missing and they don’t want to be identified. This also applies to disguised or forged documents. Identification documents that appear altered, forged, or inconsistent with their appearance or age can be an alert for a child being trafficked. Buying fake documents on the black market happens.
2. Inconsistent stories or lies: When traffickers snatch children, they usually give the children a script to follow in case anyone asks. If questions are asked and the story sounds inconsistent or like straight-up lies, take note of that. The traffickers can anticipate some questions, but never all. They may feed them a script for where they’re headed, their name and address, etc. Try asking a question about their fondest memory. Or what they had for breakfast yesterday. This can throw them off of holding on to the script in their head and disarm them long enough for you to get more information.                                                                                                                                       
3. Signs of physical or sexual abuse: Physical or sexual abuse is a devastating consequence of child trafficking. Pay attention to signs of unexplained injuries, bruises, scars, or unusual behavior in children. Victims may exhibit signs of fear, depression, anxiety, or withdrawal. If you notice these indicators, it is important to take appropriate action to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.                                                                                                                              
4. Disproportionate Age or Maturity Levels: Another sign to look for is a noticeable difference between a child’s stated age and their physical appearance or level of maturity. Traffickers may alter or falsify a child’s age to mislead authorities or exploit legal loopholes. Many times an alert is put out to look for a child of a certain age, so a trafficker will give a different age when asked. Keep an eye out for children who appear significantly older or younger than their claimed age, as it could be an indication of trafficking.                                                                                                                     
5. Sudden Changes in Behavior or Personality: Child trafficking can have severe psychological effects on victims. If you observe drastic changes in a child’s behavior, personality, or social interactions, it could be a sign of trafficking. These changes may manifest as sudden aggression, fearfulness, withdrawal from social activities, or reluctance to discuss their personal circumstances. A majority of the time, children are trafficked by someone they know.                                                                                                          
6. Lack of Knowledge of Their Whereabouts: Children who are unable or unwilling to provide basic information about their current location or living situation are a red flag. Traffickers will often move children around constantly to avoid detection and so the child won’t know where they are or how to escape. Asking the child about the area, or about their home area can help give more information to help the child.                                                                                        
7. Controlled Communication and Constant Supervision: Children who are not allowed to communicate freely or who are excessively monitored when interacting with others, especially when adults are present can be a red flag. Children who appear to have little autonomy or freedom of movement can be a red flag as well. This is different from seeing a child with overprotective parents or guardians. The child may also display a high level of fear toward authorities or authority figures. Children may display extreme fear or reluctance in interacting with law enforcement or other authorities, potentially due to threats or coercion by traffickers. This includes teachers, Principals, etc.

What do you do if you think a child may be a victim of child trafficking?

If you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking, contact the authorities or National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-800-373-7888. The confidential hotline is open 24 hours a day, every day, and helps identify, protect, and serve victims of trafficking. Pay attention and protect the children. Save a life!