Signs and Indicators of Human Trafficking – Basic Desk Card

Select each card for more information. You can also select this link to download a PDF version of this page as a reference.

Physical Red Flags

Physical Red Flags

  • Bruising and Burns
  • Frequent treatment for sexually transmitted infections and injuries
  • Rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse
  • Serious communicable disease (e.g., TB, hepatitis)
  • Tattoos, burns, or scarring to indicate branding

Behavioral Red Flags

Behavioral Red Flags

  • Reserved/avoiding interaction or providing limited information
  • Confusing or contradicting stories
  • Inability to focus or concentrate
  • Knowledge and behavior outside of typical range for age
  • Psychological Trauma
  • Depression and Anxiety

Environmental Red Flags

Environmental Red Flags

  • Accompanied by another person who answers for them, preventing them from speaking freely
  • Wearing the wrong clothing based on the season
  • Homeless minors, and those not living with relatives or foster parents (i.e., living in motel, living with non-relatives who are several years older)

Signs for Scheduler

Signs for Scheduler

Upon First Interaction at Hospital or Health Care Facility the Patient...

  • Is escorted or guarded by someone else who speaks for them
  • Has no identifiable address or home
  • Has an age-inappropriate partner or significant other
  • Shows signs of physical abuse
  • Demonstrates of Fear, Agitation, Anger or other Hyper-emotion

Signs during Complaint

Signs during Complaint

When Scheduling or Describing Chief Complaint the Patient...

  • Isn’t the one making the phone call or isn’t the only one on the call
  • Requests STI Testing
  • Requests Pregnancy Testing or Ultrasound
  • Has Abortion-Minded Concerns
  • Requests Contraception
  • Discloses Anogenital complaints (discharge, bleeding, pain, etc.)
  • Discloses Acute Sexual Assault
  • Discloses Injury from Physical Assault/Domestic Violence/Partner Abuse

Signs during Medical History

Signs during Medical History

Signs and Indicators from Medical History:

  • Multiple sex partners
  • Multiple unintended pregnancies
  • Multiple miscarriages
  • Multiple past abortions
  • Multiple Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Multiple types of contraception used simultaneously or serially
  • Multiple uses of the morning after pill
  • Multiple uses of Misoprostol
  • Multiple UTIs or Vaginal Infections
  • History of substance abuse
  • History of homelessness

Signs during Medical Exam

Signs during Medical Exam

  • Signs of physical abuse or injuries from violence
  • Gynecological complications: cysts, fistula, vaginal fissures
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic pain
  • Vaginal or Anal injuries, bleeding, or tissue damage
  • Serious communicable diseases such as hepatitis, TB
  • Dermatological issues such as scabies or lice
  • Malnutrition or Dehydration
  • Signs of self-harm: e.g., scars from repeated cutting
  • Suicidal ideation or suicide attempt