Tips for Communicating with Somone in a Human Trafficking or Dangerous Situation

When communicating with someone in a dangerous or potential trafficking situation:

• Recognize that the person in the situation knows their situation best, and it is necessary to honor their requests to ensure their safety
• Maintain open and nonjudgmental communication, ensuring they know they can reach out at any time, and end the call when they need to
• Try to speak in person if possible
• If that is not possible, try to speak on the phone first [rather than via text or social media messaging] and ask if the person is alone, and then use yes/no questions until they indicate it is safe to communicate more freely
• If they are alone, try to establish safety words: one word to indicate it is safe to talk/the person is alone [for future communications] and one to indicate it is no longer safe to talk and what the person in the situation would like done [cease communication immediately/contact law enforcement/etc.]
• Try to learn more about safety concerns
• Try to learn more about their needs/wishes moving forward [reporting, shelter, counseling, legal services, etc.]