Holy Trinity Catholic Church

February 8th is the National Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking It is also the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita, the Patron Saint of human trafficking victims and survivors. She was kidnapped and sold into slavery as a child, enduring untold hardship and suffering in Sudan and Italy. Once freed, she dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery.

The following is a list of some potential red flags and indicators of human trafficking to help you recognize the signs. Visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org and usccb.org/about/anti-trafficking-program to learn more.

Common Work and Living Conditions:
- Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
- Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager
- Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
- Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
- Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
- Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
- Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
- High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)

Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior:
- Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid
- Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement
- Avoids eye contact

Poor Physical Health:
- Lacks medical care and/or is denied medical services by employer
- Appears malnourished or shows signs of repeated exposure to harmful chemicals
- Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture

Lack of Control:
- Has few or no personal possessions
- 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)
- Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)

Other:
- Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address
- Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or of what city he/she is in
- Loss of sense of time
- Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

To report suspicious behavior, call:

• Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force Hotline: 503-793-9221

• Catholic Charities Outreach and Support to Special Immigrant Populations: 
  503-688-2713

• Sexual Assault Resource Center: 503-640-5311

• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733)

• Global Health Promise, 503-913-1336, [email protected] 

• Door to Grace, 503-747-5474,  http://www.doortograce.org/get-involved/