Know the signs of sex trafficking to keep a friend or family member safe.

Sex trafficking is a growing crisis across the country. Canadian youth are manipulated and forced into the sex trade everyday.

We can change that.

Nine common
trafficking signs

Education is our greatest weapon.

Predators shouldn’t be the only ones who recognize who is most vulnerable. When each of us know the signs to watch for, we can all take steps to keep it from happening

Sudden interest in a man
several years older

01 / 09

02 / 09

New clothing, jewelry, or
gifts without having money

03 / 09

Frequent sleepovers at a
friend’s house

04 / 09

Sudden change in style of
dress or makeup

05 / 09

New circle of friends and
isolation from their old
group

06 / 09

Change in attitude towards
school, regular activities,
friends

07 / 09

Grades are dropping

08 / 09

Unexplained cuts or bruises

09 / 09

Using two cell Phones

Download the study guide

Within 1 km of you,
someone is being
lured into sex
trafficking.

This isn't someone else's problem, it's your neighbours, friends and family.

13 years old is the
average age of
entry into sex
trafficking.

Children are being groomed before starting high-school.

93% of Canadian
human trafficking
victims are born in
Canada.

This doesn’t just start overseas or with immigrants.

Youth from every
demographic are
vulnerable.

Family income, location, race, and gender don't matter.

Help spread the word

Print a poster, post to social media, or even share our mini e-book PDF and help get the the information where it’s needed most—in the hands of as many people as possible.

share to social
print a poster
download our e-book

Help
spread
the word

Print a poster, post to social media, or even share our mini e-book PDF and help get the the information where it’s needed most—in the hands of as many people as possible.

share to social
print a poster
download our e-book

The Joy Smith Foundation is Canada’s leading authority on combating human trafficking.

We work to provide access to information so that every woman, man and child in Canada is empowered to stay safe from manipulation, force, or abuse of power designed to lure and exploit them in the sex trade or forced labour.

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Get
More Info

Knowing the 9 common signs are a great start but there’s more to learn at The Joy Smith Foundation website.

joysmithfoundation.com

Get
Educated

Register for a free course or workshop at the National Human Trafficking Education Centre.

Check the course list

Support
us

Every donation will bring us one step closer to our goal of ending human trafficking.

Donate here

© 2025 Joy Smith Foundation. All rights reserved.

DISCOVER THE SIGNS

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08 / 09

Using two cell Phones

As part of being groomed, youth sometimes receive a separate cell phone to use just with the person manipulating them. This fosters a secret and intimate connection between them. It’s also a way to hide from law enforcement and the victim's family and friends.

““In my classes this year, a couple girls had two cell phones. I wondered why. I found out later that they were being trafficked while they lived at home. I wish that I had asked more questions.””

Grade 8 teacher

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08 / 09

Unexplained cuts or bruises

Traffickers frequently turn to physical violence to manipulate and maintain control. The tell tale sign is frequent cuts and bruises without an explanation. On top of physical violence, traffickers use ongoing threats of violence against the victim and their family to get the victims to do what they want.

“My daughter used to come home with bruises on her arms and neck. She would explain it by saying that she fell or something else happened in gym class. When she left home, I found out that those bruises came from her trafficker. We got her back, but she has never been the same.”

Mother of a 17-year-old

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07 / 09

Grades are dropping

When a girl or boy is being groomed, their attention can easily and suddenly turn away from other things that might have been important to them, like school and grades. They begin to focus on the person grooming them and the life the trafficker is drawing them into.

“I couldn’t believe the change in two of my students. They completely dropped their friends, and their marks went from A’s to failing. I eventually found out that they were in a gang and selling themselves for sex.”

High school teacher

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06 / 09

Change in attitude towards school, regular activities, friends

As someone falls under the influence of a trafficker, they change their attitudes and behaviours towards things like school, favourite activities and old friends. Traffickers lure children even when they are regularly going to school and living at home.

“I had one of the most talented young women on my soccer team. She suddenly dropped out of everything. I learned later that a trafficker had gotten a hold of her.”

Soccer coach for 17U

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05 / 09

New circle of friends and isolation from their old group

Traffickers will try to separate youth from their friends and family. This can be both emotionally ('I’m the only one who really loves you') or physically ('Come to Montreal with me'). The trafficker will try to introduce the vulnerable girl or boy into their circle of friends—usually other traffickers working together to gain trust.

“We would talk to each other and tell each other how to get a girl. We knew how to do it. It was easy. I’m ashamed now. We destroyed many young lives.”

Former trafficker

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04 / 09

Sudden change in style of dress or makeup

Those being groomed by traffickers often change the way they dress along with their makeup to please the person manipulating them. It’s the suddenness of the change that is a sign that someone is having a powerful influence on them.

“I couldn’t believe the change in my daughter. She never used to wear makeup. She even got her ears pierced. I had no idea that traffickers were grooming her until after she disappeared.”

Mother of a 16-year-old

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03 / 09

Frequent sleepovers at a friend’s house

As part of being groomed, young girls and boys are encouraged to keep their activities secret. They often lie to cover up what they are doing and who they are seeing—pushed to do it by the trafficker who they believe to be their friend, boyfriend or girlfriend.

“I used to lie to my parents about where I was going … one night, when my parents thought I was sleeping over at my friends’ house, I went to a party with my boyfriend. He told me I had to have sex with his friends. I was so confused I didn’t want to. It was the first time he hit me. I was so scared of him, so I did.”

Jessica, 14-year-old survivor

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02 / 09

New clothing, jewelry, or gifts without having money

Predators often buy victims nice, expensive gifts such as designer watches, jewelry and name brand clothing. They may also take targets on extravagant dates such as to fancy restaurants or sports games. And it doesn’t stop with gifts—they often give victims drugs and alcohol.

“He bought me things that I never had before and that I couldn’t afford. That all changed when I left my home and ran away with him. He sold me for sex.”

Nancy, 17-year-old survivor

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01 / 09

Sudden interest in a man several years older

What starts as a seemingly innocent conversation online (commonly on social media) or in real life can quickly turn into something more sinister. Grooming most often begins with an emotional relationship with an older male. But it could be with a friend, girlfriend or boyfriend that the grooming starts.

“He was so nice to me. I thought he was around my age. When i met him, he was in his 20s. He was cruel and sold me for sex.”

Jewel, 15-year-old survivor