NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 50

Some of the most effective traffickers
utilize destructive psychological
processes that can result in a victim
believing they're participating of their
own free will, even if the activity
constitutes extreme physical abuse.
to develop a training program designed
to boost awareness of the problem-
not just for firefighters, but for entire
communities. As a result of their direct
contact with potential victims of human
trafficking, first responders, Inglis said,
" are in an ideal position to spot indicators
of possible trafficking and to take
steps that can lead to those people being
removed from potentially dangerous
situations. " (For education and training
resources, visit nfpa.org/plainsight.)
Inglis stressed the importance of
trauma training before fire service
members undertake any training on
human trafficking. " For a lot of trafficking
victims, the mental trauma
they suffer is the worst injury, " he
said. Some of the most effective
traffickers utilize destructive psychological
processes that can result in a
victim believing they're participating
of their own free will, even if the
activity constitutes extreme physical
abuse. " That's why your responders
need to be trauma-informed before
they even step into this, " Inglis said.
" They need to understand the layers
and complexity that can exist for
someone who might have endured
years of mental and physical abuse. "
Safety and enforcement officials can
also play an important role in identifying
people caught in trafficking
schemes and in creating conditions
in communities that can discourage
Look & Listen
According to polarisproject.org,
someone might be in a labor trafficking or
exploitation situation if you learn they:
Feel pressured by their employer to stay in a job or
situation they want to leave
Owe money to an employer or recruiter and/or are not being
paid what they were promised or are owed
Do not have control of their passport or other identity
documents
Are living and working in isolated conditions, largely cut off
from interaction with others or support systems
Appear to be monitored by another person when talking or
interacting with others
Are living in dangerous, overcrowded, or inhumane
conditions provided by an employer
Are being threatened by their boss with deportation
or other harm
Are working in dangerous conditions without proper safety
gear, training, adequate breaks, and other protections
Someone may be in a sex trafficking
situation if:
They want to stop participating in selling or trading sex but
feel scared or unable to leave
They disclose that they were reluctant to engage in selling
sex but that someone pressured them into it
They live where they work or are transported by guards
between home and workplace
They are children who live with, are supported by, or are
dependent on a family member with a substance abuse
problem or who is abusive in other ways
They have a pimp or manager in the sex trade
They work in an industry where it may be common to be
pressured into performing sex acts for money, such as a strip
club, illicit cantina, go-go bar, or illicit massage business
They have an older or simply controlling parent, guardian,
romantic partner, or " sponsor " who will not allow you to meet
or speak with the person alone or who monitors their movements,
spending, and/or communications
Experts urge that observers of suspected trafficking should not attempt to intervene. If your
organization does not have an established system for reporting suspected trafficking, contact your
local law enforcement agency or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1.888.373.7888.
50 | NFPA JOURNAL * WINTER 2021
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NFPA Journal - Winter 2021

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