Human Trafficking At Airports: What You Need To Know

Human trafficking is a devastating crime that affects millions of people worldwide. It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit victims for labour or commercial sex acts. Unfortunately, airports and airplanes are commonly used by traffickers to transport their victims, who may be of any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers take advantage of the anonymity and mobility that air travel provides to move their victims across borders and into unfamiliar environments, making it more difficult for them to escape. To combat this issue, aviation staff are being trained to detect and prevent human trafficking by recognising signs of trafficking and reporting their observations to the relevant authorities. Raising awareness among travellers can also help, as they may be more likely to notice suspicious behaviour. By working together, we can help put an end to this heinous crime and save countless lives.

Human trafficking victims may exhibit signs of fear and intimidation.

For example, a victim may exhibit fear when approached by uniformed security personnel, as they may be fearful of revealing their immigration status. This fear may also be evident when they are unable to discuss themselves freely and instead defer to their trafficker to speak for them. Their communication may seem scripted, with rehearsed or inconsistent answers to basic questions.

Additionally, victims may exhibit signs of intimidation when they are unable to provide details about their travel plans, such as their departure location, destination, or flight information. They may also lack control over their travel identification, money, luggage, or other documents, which may be held by their trafficker.

These signs of fear and intimidation can be subtle, but awareness of them can help airport personnel identify and report potential cases of human trafficking. It is important to trust your intuition and report any suspicions to the appropriate authorities, as taking action could help prevent someone from becoming a victim of modern slavery.

Victims may be dressed inappropriately for their destination

Human trafficking is a global issue, with criminals taking advantage of the ease of international travel to transport their victims across borders. Airports are a common location for human trafficking, with victims and traffickers passing through their terminals regularly.

One potential indicator that someone may be a victim of human trafficking is their attire. Victims may be dressed inappropriately for the weather at their destination, or their clothing may not be suitable for the activities they are purportedly travelling for. For example, a trafficker may claim that the victim is travelling for a modelling job, but their clothing may suggest otherwise. Victims may also be wearing ill-fitting clothes, or have few personal items with them.

In addition, victims may exhibit other signs of being trafficked, such as appearing to have no control over their travel documents or luggage, or having difficulty answering basic questions about their travel plans. They may also defer to another person to speak for them or appear to be coached on what to say. Traffickers often employ tactics to avoid raising suspicion, such as not disclosing travel details to their victims, or coaching them on what to say to avoid detection.

It is important to note that these indicators alone do not necessarily indicate human trafficking, but they can be a red flag that something is amiss. By being vigilant and reporting suspicious behaviour, travellers and aviation staff can play a crucial role in combatting human trafficking and preventing further exploitation.

Victims may be guarded by their trafficker

Human trafficking is a global issue that occurs in plain sight. Airports are hubs for human trafficking activity, with traffickers and victims regularly passing through their terminals. Traffickers use commercial air travel to transport their victims as part of their regular course of business. They may travel through airports alone or with their victims. Speed, convenience, and victim anonymity are all factors that make air travel the transportation method of choice for many traffickers.

Victims of human trafficking may be guarded by their trafficker in transit to ensure they do not escape or reach out to authorities for help. This is one of several warning signs that can help airport staff, travellers, and aviation workers identify potential cases of human trafficking. Other signs include victims:

• Having few or no personal items
• Wearing clothing that is the wrong size or inappropriate for the weather
• Being less well-dressed than their companions
• Appearing to be coached on what to say or having a scripted or inconsistent story
• Being unable to provide details of their departure location, destination, or flight information
• Being afraid to discuss themselves around others or afraid of uniformed security personnel

It is important to note that no single indicator confirms human trafficking, and each situation is different. However, by recognising these signs and reporting observations to the authorities, aviation workers and travellers can play a crucial role in preventing human trafficking and potentially saving lives.

Victims may be travelling alone

Victims of human trafficking may be travelling alone, but this does not mean they are safe from their abusers. In fact, minors travelling alone are an increasing phenomenon and are considered a risk group for human trafficking. Tens of thousands of minors travelling alone arrive at Brussels Airport each year, with many coming from African countries. Detection of possible cases of human trafficking is complex, and there is an alarming hypothesis that many cases of minors being trafficked go undetected during their journey or upon arrival at the airport.

Traffickers may buy a ticket for their victim under the pretence that a modelling job or another similar opportunity awaits them at their destination. They may also pose as the victim's father to help them get past airport security. Victims travelling alone may not know the details of who will be meeting them upon arrival. They may also be unable to provide details of their departure location, destination, or flight information, as traffickers often withhold this information to keep their victims enslaved and prevent them from escaping.

Other signs that someone travelling alone may be a victim of human trafficking include:

• Difficulty articulating reasonable/logical travel plans or answering basic questions
• Appearing to be coached on what to say or offering responses that seem rehearsed
• Exhibiting a non-genuine behavioural relationship with a guardian or romantic partner
• Restricting the movement of their co-traveller
• Purchasing last-minute, one-way bookings for other people

Victims may have few personal belongings

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, with an estimated 49.6 million people enslaved globally. It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labour or commercial sex act. Airports are hubs for human trafficking, with nearly 80% of international human trafficking journeys crossing through official border control points. Victims of human trafficking may exhibit certain indicators that can help identify them and potentially save them from a life of exploitation. One such indicator is a lack of personal belongings.

Victims of human trafficking may have few or no personal possessions due to various reasons. Firstly, they may have been abruptly abducted and did not have the opportunity to gather their belongings before being transported. They may also be under strict control by their traffickers, who limit their access to personal items as a form of power and control. Additionally, victims might be moved frequently from one location to another, making it impractical to carry many belongings.

Traffickers often exploit individuals who are vulnerable due to instability, violence, abuse, poor education, substance misuse, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, or isolation. These vulnerabilities can make it difficult for victims to acquire and maintain personal possessions. They may also be deprived of their basic needs, including access to personal items, by their traffickers as a form of control and punishment.

Furthermore, victims of human trafficking may be in a state of fear, distrust, and denial. They may not feel safe carrying personal belongings that could provide clues about their identity or background. Traffickers may also confiscate their victims' possessions to prevent them from having any form of independence or sense of self-worth. Additionally, victims might be forced to work in exploitative conditions, leaving them little time or energy to gather personal items.

It is important to recognise that the lack of personal belongings is just one indicator of human trafficking and should not be the sole factor in making assumptions. However, if you suspect someone is a victim, you can report it to the authorities or organisations dedicated to combating human trafficking, such as the National Human Trafficking Hotline or Crime Stoppers International. By being vigilant and aware of potential signs, we can all play a part in helping to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking.

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