How Do Human Traffickers Mark Their Victims?

Introduction to Victim Marking: Understanding the Basics

Victim marking is when an exploited individual is ‘marked’ by a human trafficker. This is done to represent a trophy of the trafficker’s exploits or serve as a symbol of the predator’s control over a victim. Markings are often obscure and represented in two ways: 

1. Physical markings 

2. Psychological manipulation 

Physical Markings and Tattoos

Human traffickers sometimes mark their victims with physical markings. These are often tattoos but can appear in various ways on the bodies of victims. Specifically, certain markings represent sex trafficking while others reveal labor trafficking. 

“Tattoos, branding, rashes, and bruising are typically seen in victims of sex trafficking, whereas cuts, burns, and skin injury are more likely found on victims of labor trafficking.” (National Library of Medicine) 

Psychological Manipulation

While physical markings are well-known as a type of victim marking, psychological manipulation is not. However, it is just as important, and perhaps even more devastating for victims. Examples of this include: 

• Assigning guilt – causing a victim to believe what has happened to them is their fault 

• Controlling – denying a victim the ability to make their own decisions 

• Gaslighting – making a victim question themselves 

• Threatening – revealing to a victim that they will be harmed if something is or is not done 

• Verbally abusing – using degrading names when referring to a victim to make them believe that is their identity 

Recruitment Tactics: How Traffickers Identify Potential Victims

Traffickers, just like other types of predators, usually target vulnerable populations. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, victims are likely to suffer from:  

• Economic hardship 

• Lack of a social safety net 

• Natural disasters 

• Political instability 

• Psychological or emotional vulnerability 

Real-World Example: Human Trafficker Marks His Victims

In 2018, a 32-year-old U.S. citizen named Haven Edwardantione Cates III began traveling from Chicago to Colombia as an illegal sex tourist. In just a single year, Cates III entered the country more than 30 times to engage in illicit activity with Colombian girls, and, horrifyingly enough, his targets included minors. 

Not only did Cates III sexually abuse these individuals, but he also forced them to get his name tattooed on their bodies as a “trophy” branding and then required them to send him full-body photos as evidence. 

After some of the victims reported the crimes, the Colombia National Police (CNP) reached out to the Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) International Operations team to request help with the investigation in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Chicago police. 

With the collaborative expertise of all agencies involved, enough evidence was found to generate an arrest warrant for Cates III. To eliminate any potential legal loopholes, O.U.R. provided financial support for CNP officers and a Colombian prosecutor to join HSI agents in executing the arrest warrant at Cates III's residence in June 2023. 

The Chicago predator was successfully apprehended and now faces federal charges for his crimes. Five survivors, two of which were minors, provided testimony before the Colombian prosecutor, asserting they had been sexually abused by Cates III. 

O.U.R.’s involvement did not stop after the arrest. All survivors had direct contact with the O.U.R. Aftercare team and received the help and support they needed, including the services of a medical professional to remove the tattoos bearing the name of the abuser. 

Community Awareness and Prevention: Detecting Victim Marking

We can all help put an end to human trafficking and help rescue those currently subjected to it. Look for the following physical signs of marking to help recognize potential victims: 

• Tattoos of a name, symbol of money, or barcode  

• Burn marks  

• Bruises  

• Cuts  

• Rashes  

• Other skin injuries  

Suspicious Activities to Watch For:

• Now that you know a few of the physical signs of victim marking, be aware of suspicious activities that sometimes indicate human trafficking is taking place. 

• Someone consistently allows another to speak for them or requests permission to speak 

• Employer collects “fees” from employees 

• A person lacks freedom of movement and the ability to make their own decisions 

• Someone who engages in commercial sexual acts 

• A minor that is “dating” a much older individual 

How Operation Underground Railroad Helps

After being rescued, many survivors want to remove or hide any markings a human trafficker may have given them. Doing so helps empower them to move on from traumatic experiences as they progress toward happier and healthier lives. As part of O.U.R.’s aftercare services, we fund both the removal and addition of tattoos by professionals for survivors in need. 

The O.U.R. Aftercare team walks alongside these brave individuals every step of the way on their healing journey. Together we can make a difference. Join the fight against human trafficking by donating today.  

How Do Human Traffickers Mark Their Victims? FAQS

How do traffickers mark victims through psychological manipulation? 

• Assigning guilt – causing a victim to believe what has happened to them is their fault 

• Controlling – denying a victim the ability to make their own decisions  

• Gaslighting – making a victim question themselves 

• Threatening – revealing to a victim that they will be harmed if something is or is not done 

• Verbally abusing – using names when referring to a victim, making them believe that is their identity 

What activities reveal that human trafficking might be taking place? 

• Someone consistently allows another to speak for them or requests permission to speak 

• Employer collects “fees” from employees 

• A person lacks freedom of movement and the ability to make their own decisions 

• Someone who engages in commercial sexual acts 

• A minor that is “dating” a much older individual 

How does Operation Underground help survivors who were marked by traffickers? 

The O.U.R. Aftercare team walks alongside these brave individuals on their healing journey. As part of our aftercare services, we fund both the removal and addition of tattoos by professionals for survivors in need. Doing so helps empower survivors to move on from traumatic experiences as they progress toward happier and healthier lives.