SAFE HARBOUR PROGRAM OF WAYNE COUNTY

Human Trafficking – The act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. This may include forced labor, sexual slavery, or other forms of commercial sexual exploitation. It is considered a form of modern-day slavery.

Labor Trafficking – A form of human trafficking that occurs when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to induce another to work against their will.

Sex Trafficking – The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act

Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons – Sex trafficking in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age (any child under age 18 who is induced to perform a commercial sex act is considered a sex trafficking victim regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion is present).

Commercial Sex Act – An act where something of value (money, food, clothing, drugs, shelter, protection, or other consideration) is provided in exchange for a sex act. This may include, but is not limited to, a child being prostituted, child pornography, exotic dancing, private sex parties, and other sexual exploitation.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) – CSEC is a form of child trafficking, where children are forced into prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation.

Reference: New York State Office of Children and Family Services (2016). Responding to Commercially Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Youth: A Handbook for Child Serving Professionals, p. 45.

General Indicators of Child Trafficking (Sex and Labor)

• Leaves home frequently for significant periods of time
• Shows signs of mental, physical, or sexual abuse
• Uses street slang for sex work
• Has a significantly older partner/spends a lot of time with a controlling person or older adult
• Relies on another person to speak for them
• Indications or reports of domestic violence/inter partner violence
• Lies about age or carries a fake form of identification
• Describes a stalking situation
• Lives in housing provided by employer
• Reduced contact with family, friends, or other supports
• Displays a pattern of staying in the homes of friends or a non-legally responsible adult
• Reluctant to discuss how they make money, where they live, or how/when they came to the United states
• No control over their schedule and/or money
• Has large amounts of money and/or expensive items they cannot afford
• Involvement in systems (social services, PINS, courts, etc)
• Works more than they are in school or does not often attend school
• Experiences suicidal ideations and/or depression
• Has experienced multiple placements (foster care)

Physical Indicators of Child Trafficking

• Has untreated injuries
• Has old and new injuries and/or is injured frequently
• Explanations for injuries are inconsistent with their severity
• Has had multiple sexually transmitted infections and/or abortions
• Has suspicious tattoos or burn marks (branding)
• Exhibits overt sexualized behavior
• Exhibits evidence of sexual abuse

Behavioral Indicators of Child Trafficking

• Fear of consequences is greater than circumstances would warrant (ex – being late)
• Has heightened sense of fear or distrust of authority
• Is unwilling to disclose whereabouts or information about parents/caregivers
• Is restricted in communication
• Is unwilling or unable to identify as a victim
• Displays behaviors aligned with trauma history or PTSD
• Has many inconsistencies in their story
• Multiple youth retell the same story in the same way many times, giving the appearance that the story has been coached
• Fear of consequences is greater than circumstances would warrant (ex – being late)