ECPAT-USA Child Trafficking Travel Indicators
Countless children are identified as victims of trafficking at hotels or on airlines across the globe. As a responsible traveler, you can help stop child trafficking in its tracks. Find out what to look for and what to do if you suspect trafficking.
what to look out for
- Minimal luggage/clothing
- Lack of access to travel documents and money
- Victim seems disoriented and lost
- Victim lacks physical and verbal autonomy
- Lack of adequate language skills for foreign victims
- Trafficker is seen with many young children
- Trafficker insists on paying solely in cash
- Victim and trafficker have minimal interaction and eye contact with others, especially with staff
- No evidence of return ticket; may have tickets to multiple destinations
- Victim has indications of physical and emotional abuse
- Trafficker/victim seem anxious to arrive at destination
What to Do
- BE ALERT during large gatherings such as conventions or sporting games
- DO NOT confront the child or adult
- ALERT management, flight attendant, or airport security
- NOTE the room/seat number, names, and description of individuals
In case of emergency, dial
911
