A guide to reporting trafficking
We are a society that runs on stats and reporting. From sports games to election polls, the best cars to drive or the top places to eat. It is no different when it comes to tracking Human Trafficking. Accurate reporting impacts lives in multiple ways. From a movement and educational standpoint, the statistics we use to share about the Human Trafficking epidemic can be what prompts others into action. Studies use reporting to help those involved strategically know what to do and how to reach the most vulnerable. But often Human Trafficking reporting goes unnoticed or underreported.
This article is here to help you be more equipped for reporting possible instances of human trafficking that you may encounter on a day to day basis. Whether with your friends, family or a stranger you see in a public place, having the tools to report will make you more confident to create an impact and may help save a life. Human trafficking is across the globe so we’ll be explaining how to report in countries around the world.
First, let’s figure out what we’re looking for when we think about reporting trafficking.
Here are some red flags or signs that someone might be at risk of being trafficked or is currently in a trafficking situation:
Withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out
Signs of physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts
Unexplained absences
Behavior becomes sexualized
Shows signs of gang affiliation (colors, gang symbols)
Older significant other (usually male)
Brags about making or having lots of money
New tattoos (Tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims. Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking).
When reporting, it is good to know what the situation you are reporting entails. If you’re calling they may ask how many potential victims, what the type of trafficking you’re suspecting and demographic information about the potential victims. You’ll want to be able to give them as much information as possible. Knowing the signs is an important aspect of reporting, but what do we do once we recognize a likely human trafficking situation? Let’s break it down by area!
For the United States, you can access the National Human Trafficking Hotline. You can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888: Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking. If you’re more comfortable or in a situation where you can’t make a call, you can text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733. There also is the option to chat at the National Human Trafficking Hotline via www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.
Canada has its own National Hotline service, you can call at 1-833-900-1010 or chat with an advocate.
Australia:
They have an online form or there is the option to call or email to report,
131AFP (131237) or email AOCC-Client-Liaison@afp.gov.au
Austria:
IBF - Intervention Centre for Victims of Trafficking in Women + 43 1-796 92 98
Belgium:
PAG-ASA + 32 2 511 64 64
Payoke +32 3 201 16 90
Multilingual brochure for victims of human trafficking
Bulgaria:
National Hotline for Victims of Violence(operated by Foundation “Animus Association”): 0800 186 76
National Hotline for Children (operated by the State Agency for Child Protection and Foundation “Animus Association”): 116 111
National Human Trafficking Resource Line: (operated by A21 Bulgaria): 0800 20 100
Czech Republic:
La Strada SOS Hotline +420 222 71 71 71
Estonia:
Human Trafficking Prevention and Victim Help Hotline +372 6607 320
Finland:
System for victim assistance +358 71 876 3170
France:
National Coordination for protection of victims of human trafficking hotline (Ac.Sé): 0 825 009 907
Greece:
National Center for Social Solidarity (EKKA/National Referral Mechanism)
National Line for child protection: 1107
Direct Social Aid Line: 197
General Secretariat for Gender Equality: SOS helpline 15900
Human Trafficking Resource Line (operated by Α21 Campaign): 1109 (for international calls please call 0030-2310-019880)
Hungary:
The hotline telephone number for victims of domestic violence or Trafficking (Available 24/7)
In Hungary: 06-80/20-55-20 – Crisis Management and Information Hotline.
Abroad: 0036 80/20-55-20
Ireland:
Hotline for the confidential reporting of suspicions of trafficking: 1 800 25 00 25
Italy:
National hotline against trafficking 800 290 290
Latvia:
Hotline against trafficking (in Latvian) 80002012
Lithuania:
Klaipedasocial and psychological services centre 8 800 66366
Luxembourg:
Luxembourg national contact for expertise in the field combating and preventing trafficking in Human Beings (Police Grand-Ducale) +352 4997 6210
Out of hours contact: Centre d' Intervention National: +352 4997 2341
Malta:
Call to report or if you are a victim of human trafficking or reporting a crime in relation to human trafficking +356 2294 2000
Netherlands:
CoMensha (in Dutch) +31 33 4481186
Poland:
National Intervention and Consultation Centre for Victims of Trafficking +48 22 628 01 20
Portugal:
Hotline against trafficking 800 202 148
SOS Imigrante, the hotline for all migrant situations 808 257 257
Romania:
Hotline against trafficking 0800 800 678
Slovakia:
Slovak Crisis Center DOTYK + 421 903 704 784
Slovenia:
KLJUČ KEY- Society, Centre for the fight against trafficking in persons: 080 17 22
South Africa:
(0800 222 777) and also an online form you can submit. You can choose either to identify yourself or remain anonymous.
Spain:
Institut de la Femme 900 191 010, 900 152 152
Sweden:
Report child trafficking (in Swedish)
For more information visit the website of the National organization for Women’s and Girls’ Shelters in Sweden.
United Kingdom:
Modern Slavery Helpline operates 24/7 and is confidential on 08000 121 700. It is open to calls from victims, on behalf of victims, the general public, law enforcement, statutory agencies, and business. It is backed by the UK Government, Police, NCA and NGOs and is the one number all agencies want to coalesce around. Reporting can also take place via the website as well at https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report
Reporting Human Trafficking is an important part of being an advocate! By knowing the signs, you can feel empowered to report.
About the Author
Hope Kadlecek is a recent Ohio to Denver transplant spending copious amounts of time hiking and discovering new coffee shops. Lover of all forms of potatoes, passionate about chaco tans and thrift shopping. Hope is working towards building a career built around making sure all people matter.