How to Help a Friend Who May be Trafficked

Based on things a friend has said or the way a friend has acted since starting a new job, you may be worried that your friend might be a victim of human trafficking. While there are things you can do to help, you don’t have to deal with this on your own. You can tell a trusted adult or contact the government to get help for your friend.

You can also:

• Make sure your friend knows you’re available to talk. 
• Listen to your friend.
• Talk in person, if possible.
• Pick safety words together so your friend can let you know if other people are around, if it’s safe to talk, and what your friend wants you to do.
• Try to learn more about your friend’s safety concerns.
• Try to learn more about what your friend needs or wants now or in the future (for example, help contacting a trusted adult or the police, a safe place to stay, food, or medical care).

Information based on National Human Trafficking Hotline safety tips, https://humantraffickinghotline.org/faqs/safety-planning-information.