In some cases, leaving or attempting to leave a trafficking situation may increase the risk of violence. It is important to trust your judgment when taking steps to ensure your safety.
- If you are in immediate danger, call or text 9-1-1.
- Keep any important documents on or near you for immediate departure.
- Plan an escape route and rehearse it.
- If you are unsure of your current location, try to determine any indication of your locality, such as street signs outside the residence or place of employment or newspapers/magazines/mail that may have the address listed.
- Keep a written copy of important numbers on you at all times in case your phone is taken or destroyed at any point. Memorize important numbers/hotlines.
- Think about your next steps after you leave the situation. Develop a plan of contacting trusted friends or relatives or calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline or other local resources. However, if you are ever in immediate danger, contact 9-1-1 first.
- During violent or explosive situations, avoid dangerous rooms.
- Develop a special signal (lights flickering on and off, code word, code text message, hand signal, etc.) to use with a trusted neighbor, relative, friend, or service provider to notify them that you are in danger.
If you have children who are also in the trafficking situation, explain to them that it isn’t their responsibility to protect you, and make sure that they know how to call someone for help, where to hide during a violent incident, and practice your plan of departure.
- Safety Plan
- Drop-in Centers