LANSING – With the Detroit Auto Show expecting to bring hundreds of thousands of car enthusiasts to the Motor City, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants residents to be familiar with the signs of human trafficking, a crime that often emerges around large gatherings.

“We all have a role to play in the fight against human trafficking,” Nessel said. “By understanding the signs and reporting suspicious activity, you can help save people from this horrific crime.”

Human trafficking victims may:

• Exhibit signs of abuse, including bruises, cuts, burns, scars, or lack of health care or proper nourishment;
• Not be in control of their own money or identifying documents, such as their driver’s license or passport;
• Avoid eye contact with others and appear fearful of the person they’re with;
• Not be allowed to communicate on their own behalf or may have their communication restricted. Another person may answer all questions on their behalf; or
• Not admit they are victims or ask for help.

The Attorney General’s website includes additional tips for health care professionals (PDF), first responders (PDF), and hospitality workers (PDF) – who all have a greater chance of encountering a victim of trafficking directly.

The Detroit Auto Show takes place until January 20 at Huntington Place in Detroit. Victims of human trafficking or those who have identified someone they think may need help can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text 233733. This is a national, toll-free hotline that is available to answer calls, texts, and chats from anywhere in the country 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. All calls are confidential.