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Human traffickers are targeting
teenagers in BC right now.

Stay safe. Know the signs.

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is considered "modern-day slavery."A person who is trafficked, works hard, but doesn't get to keep their money.

Who?

A trafficker can be a boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, family member, stranger, etc. who talks, tricks, or forces you into trafficking. 

How?

You do the work and the trafficker controls most (or all) of the money you earn. You don't choose the work you do, when, or how often.

What?

Trafficking consists of: (1) having sex for money; (2) making sexual videos; (3) dancing in strip clubs; and (4) doing other dangerous work.

Why?

A trafficker makes you feel like you can't say "no,"and like you can't escape the situation. It's more common than you'd think.

Read real stories from trafficking survivors in Canada to learn more!

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What Does a
Trafficker Look Like?

Some traffickers are family members: a mother, father, sister, aunt, uncle, or cousin.

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​Some traffickers are your age, who actually work for someone who's older. Their job might be to find teens to traffic, who their boss can make money off of.

Traffickers can be all kinds of people.

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Most are men, usually older than you. Some traffickers are women.

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They may be your boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, or friend-of-a-friend.

What are the Signs of Human Trafficking?

 Remember, not all signs are present every time. These are just some.

Step 1: Getting to Know You

This is grooming! They get to know you, make you feel special, and win your trust and love. This allows them to gain control.

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The trafficker may offer you:​​

  • A place to stay​​

  • Thoughtful surprises

  • Expensive gifts (clothing, shoes, phones, laptops, trips, drugs, alcohol, appointments at the hair and nail salon, etc.)​

They will want to know everything about you and your life. This information will then be used to control you later.

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They may tell you:​

  • they love you​

  • you're beautiful

  • there's no one else like you

Step 2: Pushing Your Boundaries

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The trafficker will start suggesting, encouraging you, or forcing you to:​

  • Take sexual pictures/videos

  • Dance nude

  • Have sex with people for money

They may say...

  • "It's not that big of deal"

  • "It's easy money"

  • "You owe me"

  • "Do this for us"

  • "Do this for me"

  • "We need the money"

  • "If you don't do it, I'll leave you"

  • "If you don't do it, I'll hurt you"

Step 3: Keeping Control

At this point, the trafficker makes it difficult or impossible for you to say no, or to leave. They want you to feel trapped.

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They may require you to always keep your phone on, and to pick up right away when they call, so they know where you are.

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They may keep your ID and bank card.​

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They may threaten you with a weapon.

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They may physically hurt you (slap, push, punch, kick, bite, choke, etc).​

They may say...

  • "I've done so much for you, you owe me"

  • "If you don't keep doing it, I'll leave you"

  • "If you don't keep doing this, I'll hurt you / your family"

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They may control the money you earn:

  • ...maybe they buy you drugs with it

  • ...maybe they give you some spending money, but ultimately, they control it.

Who is at Risk? Anyone.

Traffickers look for people who they can control.

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Some people come from good homes, get along with their parents, and have lots of friends.

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Often, traffickers look for people:

  • who feel like they're alone / are lonely

  • who don't have many friends

  • whose families aren't around much

  • whose families aren't safe

  • who don't have much money

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