Possible Indicators of Sexual Exploitation of Minors:
- Does not attend school or demonstrates an inability to attend school on a regular basis and/or has unexplained absences
- Makes references to frequent travel to other cities or cannot account for whereabouts over the previous several days, weeks or months
- Exhibits bruises or other signs of physical trauma
- Signs of torture (e.g., cigarette burns)
- Brands, such as tattoos, or scarring, indicating ownership
- Does not have access to health care; appears to be in poor health
- Is hungry, malnourished, deprived of sleep, or inappropriately dressed (based on weather conditions or surroundings)
- Clothing may appear dirty and worn
- Individual is dressed in inappropriate clothing (i.e., lingerie or other attire associated with the sex industry)
- Shows signs of drug or alcohol addiction
- Has coached/rehearsed responses to questions
- Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story
- Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)
- Avoids eye contact
- Appears fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous/paranoid, or extremely shy
- Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement
- Has few or no personal possessions
- Is traveling with minimal or inappropriate luggage/belongings
- Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account
- Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)
- Uses false identification
- Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address
- Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city he/she is currently occupying
- Loss of sense of time
Possible Indicators for parents/relatives/friends:
- Demonstrates a sudden change in attire, personal hygiene, relationships, or material possessions
- Become noticeably withdrawn, angry, or distant
- Acts uncharacteristically promiscuous and/or makes references to sexual situations or terminology that are beyond age-specific norms
- Has a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" who is noticeably older
- Evidence of controlling or dominating relationships – i.e. repeated phone calls from a "boyfriend" and/or excessive concern about displeasing a partner
- Attempts to conceal recent scars
- Frequently runs away from home and can't account for whereabouts during recent absences
- Dramatically changes their circle of friends
- Makes references to staying in different hotels in the city in which they reside, or other cities without parents
- Gets rides from different people, in different cars and doesn't allow parents to meet the driver
Sex Trafficking Business:
- Hotels, massage parlors, casinos, truck stops, spas, strip clubs,
- Homes – less frequent but cramped and squalid conditions, lots of foot traffic
- Large amounts of cash and condoms
- Customer logbook or receipt book ("trick book")
- Sparse rooms
- Men come and go frequently