Safety Tips When Leaving a Human Trafficking Situation

In some cases, leaving or attempting to leave a trafficking situation may increase the risk of violence. It is important to trust your judgment when taking steps to ensure your safety.  

• If you are ever in immediate danger, the quickest way to access help is to call 9-1-1.  
• If you are unsure of your current location, try to determine any indication of your locality such as street signs outside the residence or place of employment, or newspapers/magazines/mail that may have the address listed.
• If it is safe to go outside, see if the address is listed anywhere on the building.
• If there are people nearby and it is safe to speak with them, ask them about your current location.  

Plan an escape route or exit strategy and rehearse it

Keep any important documents on or near you to be ready for immediate departure.  

Prepare a bag with any important documents/items and a change of clothes.  

Keep a written copy of important numbers on you at all times in case your phone is taken or destroyed at any point. Memorize important numbers/hotlines

• Think about your next steps after you leave the situation.
• Contact trusted friends or relatives to notify them or to ask for assistance if you feel comfortable.
• Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline 24-hour hotline at 1-888-3737-888 to obtain local referrals for shelter or other social services and support. The Hotline can also connect you with specialized law enforcement referrals. However, if you are ever in immediate danger, contact 9-1-1 first. 
• During violent or explosive situations avoid dangerous rooms
• Examples of Dangerous Rooms: kitchen (knives, sharp utensils, pots), garage (tools, sharp objects), bathroom (hard surfaces, no exits), basement (hard surfaces, no exits), rooms where weapons are kept and rooms without an exit.
• Examples of Safer Rooms: front room, yard or apartment hallway where a neighbor might see or hear an incident.
• Develop a special signal (lights flickering on and off, code word, code text message, hand signal, etc.) to use with a trusted neighbor, relative, friend or service provider to notify them that you are in danger.  
• It is important to proactively communicate what action steps you would like taken (call 9-1-1, check-in, pick the children up, etc.).

If you have children who are also in the trafficking situation, explain to them that it isn’t their responsibility to protect you, and make sure that they know how to call someone for help, where to hide during a violent incident, and practice your plan of departure with them.