Extracts from UKBA Victims of Trafficking
Guidance Document
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/asylumprocessguidance/specialcases/guidance/competent-guidance?view=Binary

Myths and Indicators

Myths about human trafficking
It is important to be aware of a number of myths and issues of incomplete understanding relating to human trafficking:

Myth: The person knew what was going to happen to him or her, so he/she cannot be considered a victim.

Reality: Prior knowledge may indicate complicity and does not in itself indicate trafficking. But equally individuals may not have been aware of the level of control over their freedom, movement or monetary arrangements so trafficking should not be ruled out simply because some prior knowledge of events can be established.

Myth: The person did not take opportunities to escape so is not being coerced.

Reality: Remaining in an exploitative situation could indicate a willingness to remain there and/or an absence of coercion. But there are many reasons why someone may choose not to escape an exploitative situation: e.g. fear of reprisal, vulnerability, Stockholm syndrome; lack of knowledge of environment.

Myth: British nationals cannot be victims of human trafficking.

Reality: British nationals can and have been victims of human trafficking.

Myth: Crossing a border is required in order to be trafficked.

Reality: Trafficking does not have to occur across borders, it can occur within a country.

Myth: Human trafficking is a necessary evil in some cultures and so must be accepted.

Reality: Irrespective of cultural practices, human trafficking is a crime in the United Kingdom.

Myth: It cannot be human trafficking when organiser and victim are related or married/cohabiting/ lovers.

Reality: Close relationships are often used to exploit and control others. There are reported incidents where ‘boyfriends’ have groomed women into sexual exploitation or family members have colluded (intentionally or unintentionally) in the exploitation.

Myth: A person is not a victim of trafficking when he or she says that he or she has a better life than previously.

Reality: It is likely that victims may perceive their life as better, particularly when the money promised to them is delivered. It doesn’t mean that they are not a victim of trafficking.

Myth: A person is not a victim of trafficking when he or she rejects offers of help.

Reality: It is not uncommon for victims to initially reject offers for assistance and help. This is not a situation that is unique to victims of these crimes but due to the nature of human trafficking victim self-identification and early engagement with the authorities and other support organisations remains low.

General indicators of Trafficking
1. Distrustful of authorities
2. Expression of fear or anxiety
3. Signs of psychological trauma (including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
4. The person acts as if instructed by another
5. Injuries apparently a result of assault or controlling measures
6. Evidence of control over movement, either as an individual or as a group
7. Found in or connected to a type of location likely to be used for exploitation
8. Restriction of movement and confinement to the workplace or to a limited area
9. Passport or documents held by someone else
10. Lack of access to medical care
11. Limited social contact
12. Limited contact with family
13. Perception of being bonded by debt
14. Money is deducted from salary for food
15. Threat of being handed over to authorities
16. Threats against the individual or their family members
17. Being placed in a dependency situation
18. No or limited access to bathroom/hygiene facilities

Indicators of forced labour
1. Employer or manager unable to produce documents required when employing migrant labour
2. Employer or manager unable to provide record of wages paid to workers
3. Poor or non existent health and safety equipment or no health and safety notices
4. Any other evidence of labour laws being breached
5. No or limited access to earnings or labour contract
6. Excessive wage reduction
7. Dependence on employer for a number of services i.e. work, transport, accommodation
8. Any evidence workers are required to pay for tools, food or accommodation via deductions from their pay
9. Imposed place of accommodation

Indicators of domestic servitude
1. Living with and working for a family in a private home
2. Not eating with the rest of the family
3. No proper sleeping place or sleeping in shared space e.g. living room
4. No private space
5. Forced to work in excess of normal working hours or being “on-call” 24 hours per day
6. Employer reports them as a missing person
7. Employer accuses person of theft, kidnapping or other crime related to his/her escape
8. Never leaving the house without employer

Indicators of sexual exploitation
1. Adverts for brothels etc offering women from particular ethnic/national groups
2. Sleeping on work premises
3. Movement of women between brothels or working in alternate locations
4. Women with very limited amounts of clothing and/or a large proportion of the clothing is ‘sexual’
5. Only being able to speak sexual words in local language or language of client group
6. Person forced, intimidated or coerced into providing services of a sexual nature
7. Person subjected to crimes such as abduction, assault or rape
8. Does someone other than the victim receive the money from the client 
9. Health symptoms (including sexual health issues)
10. Signs of ritual abuse and witchcraft
11. Substance misuse