POEA chief gives 13 tips to detect human trafficking

Does a person seem disconnected from family and friends, stopped attending school or have a dramatic change in behavior – or showing signs of physical or mental abuse?


These may be signs the person is a victim of human trafficking, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration head Hans Leo Cacdac said.

"Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life," he said on his Twitter account.

However, Cacdac said not all these [indicators] may be present in every human trafficking situation, and their presence or absence may not necessarily be proof of human trafficking.

On the other hand, he said the safety of the public as well as the trafficking victim should be taken into consideration.

Cacdac also cautioned the public against trying to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alerting a victim to any suspicions.

"It is up to law enforcement agents to investigate suspected cases of human trafficking," he said.

13 signs

Among the possible signs of human trafficking are:

1. Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
2. Has a child stopped attending school?
3. Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
4. Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
5. Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
6. Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
7. Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
8. Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
9. Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers, Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation?
10. Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
11. Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
12. Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
13. Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

— LBG, GMA News

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