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Human trafficking: emergency triage and getting help

Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor exploitation. It occurs in every country and affects adults, teenagers, and children across all backgrounds.

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  1. Prioritize personal safety. If you or someone else is in immediate danger of physical violence, call 911 (or your local emergency number).
  2. Do not confront suspected traffickers directly. Intervention without law enforcement or trained advocates can escalate violence for the victim.
  3. Contact a specialized, confidential human trafficking hotline immediately:
  4. United States: National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to 233733 (available 24/7, multi-lingual).
  5. United Kingdom: Modern Slavery Helpline: Call 08000 121 700.
  6. European Union: European Anti-Trafficking Hotline: Call 116 000 or your national emergency portal.
  7. Canada: Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 1-833-900-1010.
  8. Note specific, observable details (locations, vehicle license plates, descriptions of individuals, dates, times) without drawing attention to yourself.
  9. If you are a victim of trafficking seeking escape, contact a hotline from a safe phone or use private browsing on a public computer.

Recognizing potential indicators of trafficking

Trafficking can occur in domestic work, agriculture, construction, hospitality, massage parlors, or commercial sex work. Indicators include:

  • Restricted freedom of movement: An individual is never allowed to travel alone, go outside, or leave their living space without a handler monitoring them.
  • Withheld documents: Passports, birth certificates, identification cards, or money are controlled by another person.
  • Signs of physical abuse or neglect: Unexplained bruises, burns, untreated medical injuries, malnourishment, or severe dental neglect.
  • Scripted communication: The individual appears coached, fearful when answering simple questions, or defers all answers to a controlling companion.
  • Debt bondage: Being told they owe an un-payable financial debt to an employer or controller that keeps them trapped.
  • Excessive working hours: Living at the workplace or working continuous, extreme hours with minimal or no pay.

Safe triage and helping someone discreetly

If you interact with someone you suspect is being trafficked, proceed with extreme care:

  • Do not make promises you cannot keep: Building trust requires honesty and safety.
  • Offer a safe, private contact method: Provide a hotline number written on a small paper or memorized phrase if it is safe to do so discreetly.
  • Do not ask intrusive questions in front of companions: A handler or trafficker may monitor all conversations.
  • Rely on professional victim advocates: Specialized organizations (such as the Polaris Project, International Justice Mission, or local victim shelters) provide secure housing, legal protection, medical care, and psychological recovery.

Exit planning for victims seeking help

If you are currently trapped in a trafficking situation:

  • Identify a safe person: Find a healthcare provider, teacher, social worker, or firefighter who is legally mandated to assist.
  • Memorize key emergency phone numbers: Keep hotline numbers memorized in case your phone is confiscated.
  • Hide copies of documents: Keep digital photo copies of your ID or passport saved in secure cloud accounts if possible.