SCROLL: The following dramatized scenario depicts signs and indicators
of human trafficking, a crime committed when a trafficker uses force, fraud or
coercion to compel another to work for little or no wages or to commit acts of
commercial sex. Victims are often invisible because we do not recognize
signs and indicators of human trafficking. The following scenario
shows actions and behaviors that might occur in bus stations, ticket counters
and on coaches. Pay attention because identifying signs of human trafficking
and reporting a tip may save a life.
TICKET VENDER: Next.
TRAFFICKER: Hey. Three tickets to Seattle please.
TICKET VENDER: That's okay, I don't need the passports.
TICKET VENDER: Here you go.
TRAFFICKER: Thank you.
TICKET VENDER: Your welcome.
TRAFFICKER: [To his female companions] Let's go!
TRAFFICKER: Sit down!
ALICE: You can get your ticket from the lady inside.
WOMAN: Thank you, Miss.
ALICE: You're Welcome.
LINDA: Good job with the Spanish.
That immersion course we took sure did work.
ALICE: I know, I understood her perfectly.
We'll have no trouble this summer in in Mexico City.
LINDA: I can’t wait.
DRIVER: Good morning ladies, how you all doing?
ALICE and LINDA: Good.
DRIVER: Very good. Welcome aboard. Watch your step there.
[The Trafficker and his female companions approach the bus to board]
DRIVER: Good morning ladies, How you all doing?
TICKET VENDOR: Did you get the head count yet?
DRIVER: No, not yet.
Did you notice something strange about that guy with the two girls?
TICKET VENDOR: Yes! He's really controlling and bossy.
Keep your eye on him.
DRIVER: I will. I'll get the count.
TRAFFICKER: Look! If you ever want to see your families again,
and if you ever want to see these again, you had better not look at
anyone or talk to anyone. You understand?
[The women nod in assent]
TRAFFICKER: Sit here and be quiet!
MARIA: We should never have left our families to come to this country.
ROSA: Be quiet. I don't want to get a beating.
[ALICE and LINDA look on with concern]
LINDA: Let’s go.
TRAFFICKER: Listen! This isn't our stop. Sit down!
ALICE: Did you hear all that?
LINDA: Yeah, they’re in really big trouble.
ALICE: Let’s go tell the driver.
DRIVER: [to a disembarking passenger] Thank you, sir.
ALICE: Can I talk to you in private for a second?
DRIVER: Sure. What's up girls?
ALICE: Um...
LINDA: Well, we were sitting next to these two Hispanic girls, and
there was a man and he was... he was threatening them.
He was really scary.
ALICE: Yeah, and he was telling them that they would never see their families again,
and that he would keep their passports.
DRIVER: Thank you for letting me know about this.
I'll go talk to dispatch right away.
ALICE: Okay.
DRIVER: Thank you all.
CARD: Human Trafficking occurs when one uses force, fraud or coercion to
compel another to work for little or no wages or commit acts of commercial sex.
CARD 2: This video described some signs and indicators of a victim of
human trafficking including: Appearing fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive,
tense, or nervous and paranoid having restricted movement; not controlling
one's own identification and travel documents; being told not to speak;
being threatened with harm.
CARD 3: Other common indicators of human trafficking not shown in the video may
include: Being harmed or deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care, or other
life necessities; having few or no personal possessions, or luggage,
or an amount of luggage that does not make sense for their length of stay;
not having an ability to freely contact friends or family; having no knowledge
of or lacking logical means of reaching their final destination;
a child traveler who does not seem to be accompanied by his or her legitimate
parent or guardian.
CARD 4: If you see any indicators of human trafficking, on the ground or
in-transit, follow your company's policy to report a tip.
This may include: Notifying Federal law enforcement: ICE-Homeland Security
Investigations Tip Line, 866-347-2423. Toll free in U.S. and Canada,
twenty-four hours a day. Confidentially speak to a non-governmental organization:
National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-3737-888.
In an emergency situation, call 9-1-1 or contact local authorities.