​CONTROL INDICATORS – ADULT (18+)

• ☐ Accompanied by someone who answers questions for them or restricts movement

• ☐ Appears coached or overly rehearsed in their responses

• ☐ Avoids eye contact, seems fearful or anxious

• ☐ Lacks control over personal documents (ID, health card, passport)

• ☐ Has limited or no access to money, banking, or personal belongings

• ☐ Monitored or tracked via phone by another person

• ☐ States they are “paying off a debt” or “working for someone”

• ☐ Refers to a controller as “boyfriend,” “manager,” or “daddy”

• ☐ Is not free to come and go as they wish

• ☐ Shows fear of "getting in trouble" for not making enough money or not following rules

​

ISOLATION & DEPENDENCY INDICATORS

• ☐ Frequently moved between cities, provinces, or hotel rooms

• ☐ Doesn’t know their exact location or address

• ☐ Reluctant to describe living conditions or who they live with

• ☐ May not speak English or French well; another person interprets for them

• ☐ Cut off from friends, family, or cultural/community supports

• ☐ No access to transportation or dependent on someone else for travel

• ☐ Distrusts police, social services, or health care workers

• ☐ Uses a “burner” phone or communicates only on encrypted apps

​

SEX TRADE-SPECIFIC INDICATORS

• ☐ Found in environments associated with sexual services (e.g., hotels, massage parlours, escort websites)

• ☐ Has multiple online sex work ads posted by another person or from multiple cities

• ☐ Uses language or branding in ads that suggest control (e.g., “new in town,” “discreet,” “young & tight”)

• ☐ Evidence of quota-setting or having to work long/unusual hours

• ☐ Doesn’t keep earnings; someone else controls finances

• ☐ Has signs of sexual trauma, repeated STIs, or unwanted pregnancies

• ☐ Tattoos/brandings with names, symbols (e.g., dollar signs, crowns, barcodes)

• ☐ Seen with one or more other women who appear equally controlled

• ☐ Says it’s “just work,” but shows signs of manipulation, coercion, or fear

​

ONLINE & DIGITAL CONTEXTS

• ☐ Exploitation facilitated through social media or encrypted apps (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Reddit, Discord)

• ☐ Involved in online sexual content creation or live-streaming under pressure

• ☐ Reports threats to share sexual content online (digital coercion or sextortion)

• ☐ Someone else manages their digital profiles or passwords

• ☐ Recruited via dating apps or “job offers” promising modelling, dancing, travel, etc.

​

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BEHAVIOURAL INDICATORS

• ☐ Appears hyper-vigilant, paranoid, or traumatized

• ☐ Lacks understanding of their legal rights or immigration status

• ☐ Shows signs of grooming, manipulation, or learned helplessness

• ☐ May defend their trafficker or minimize the abuse

• ☐ Believes they “owe” loyalty or obedience to the exploiter

• ☐ Uses language like “it’s just temporary” or “I don’t have a choice”

• ☐ Describes being scared to leave because of threats, violence, or loss of housing/kids

​

HEALTHCARE / SERVICE PROVIDER RED FLAGS

• ☐ Accompanied by someone who refuses to leave the room

• ☐ Delays or avoids seeking medical help

• ☐ Presents with untreated injuries, infections, or STIs

• ☐ Shows signs of malnutrition, exhaustion, or physical abuse

• ☐ Inconsistent explanation of injuries or travel history

• ☐ Appears fearful, confused, or dissociated

​

 

 

MANDATORY REPORTING

Unlike minors, reporting suspected adult trafficking is not mandatory, unless the adult is under a form of legal guardianship or a dependent adult. However, you should always:

• Refer the person to appropriate services 

• Document indicators if you are a service provider

• Report if there’s imminent danger or violence

 

CANADIAN SUPPORT & REPORTING RESOURCES

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7, confidential)

1-833-900-1010
www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca​​

 

If someone is in immediate danger: Call 911​​​