Human trafficking – what are the signs?

FILE: A woman sits on the ground, leaning on a bed frame, looking away from the camera. (Sofia Alejandra via Pexels)

Barrie police are reminding the public of the signs of human trafficking after becoming aware of social media content citing alleged tagging of vehicles.

Police say they know about content circulating around social media alleging tagged vehicles in parking lots with the thinking that suspected human traffickers are the culprits.

While Barrie police want to reassure the public, no reports have been made about this and there has been no evidence of human traffickers marking vehicles in parking lots.

Human traffickers target vulnerable people and begin “grooming” them, a process that involves several steps like manipulation, emotional abuse, addiction, threats, violence, isolation and control, according to police.

According to Human Trafficking in Canada – Ally Global Foundation, 91 per cent of human trafficking victims in Canada know their trafficker. It also says the majority of sex trafficking victim are reportedly teenage girls born in Canada, some as young as 13, and recruited through school, social media and at shopping malls.

Barrie police say a person is potentially being trafficked when they show signs like sudden behaviour changes like fear, anxiety, depression or hypervigilance. The person may withdrawal from family, friends and usual activities. There could be signs of physical abuse or neglect and they could suddenly have new things like gifts, money or phones.

Barrie police has a Human Trafficking Unit that identifies, investigates and supports victims of human trafficking. Anyone who sees any suspicious activity is asked to call the non-emergency line at 705-725-7025.