Branding in the World of Human Trafficking

Jan 29, 20234 min read

Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.

A resource to help identify different symbols used to brand Human Trafficking Victims.

WARNING: This article contains sensitive content and may be found offensive or triggering to some people. Some photos are real evidence from rape encounters that is intended for educational purposes to help victims and their loved ones to recognize signs of Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, and/or Rape. Very graphic details may include explanations from my personal experiences and others. If for any reason you are not ready to see details of abuse, feel free to move on and come back when you are ready. It is also recommended that you view this with a friend or family member for emotional support.

Image by vectorjuice on Freepik

A body of a human being is supposed to be a temple that is respected and treasured with value worthy enough for protection. Unfortunately, there's a swarm that has been occurring over centuries that is now considered modern day slavery. Human Trafficking is an ugly trade. It's a trend not only in the United States, but it's around the globe. There are local networking businesses, national trafficking associations, and International Rings that work together to exchange human beings of any gender or socioeconomic background to continue entrapping their victims. One of the methods used to do this successfully is by marking humans for slavery. This method's official name is called Branding used to publicly display ownership of human beings. Historically, it was used as a form of punishment as well. While there are many universal branding symbols used to identify trafficking, most are found on sex trafficking victims. This article will focus on the ones specifically placed on or inside the bodies of victims as a sign for other Human Traffickers to identify targets they paid for.

Tattoos

There are many more varieties of tattoos than what is listed here used by Human Traffickers as they can be customized to whatever they want. They are usually reserved for females. These are just some examples for you to have a better idea of how to identify a victim and view the ones that relate to my story. Some of the tattoos can also be used by the Traffickers themselves to have more appeal and attract more customers.

Barcode

Used to treat Trafficking Victims as if they're property comparable to a product grabbed from the shelf at a grocery store.

Words

When words are tattooed anywhere on the body, the options can be limitless for Traffickers. It can be one of the most degrading permanent things to put on a body with how social media is these days using the words to put in whatever context they want.

The words can be more degrading for the victim, such as the one featured in this picture.

Chain

Three links plays a significance to a large International Organization based in the United States that also has the symbol of X displayed by the girl's crisscrossed bra straps.

Crowns

This one can be displayed on a Trafficker representing higher status or wealth within the Trafficking Ring or the victim representing who she belongs to. It can accompany the Trafficker's initials or a given nickname. It's also used as a lure into deceiving the victim as signifying their role as royalty. A victim will never have a higher status in the realm of trafficking, but the people who brand her can use the tattoo as a lie to make her believe that she'll be rich. Once a victim, always a victim.

Dollar Signs & Money Bags

Similar to the bar code, any one of these tattoos represents a price tag on the body of a Sex Trafficking Victim.

Image from CNN

Another version of a money bag tattoo that can be used on Traffickers.

Skin Modifications & Removal

Cuts / Carvings

I showed this in a video that I made speaking out about a Sex Trafficking experience I just had where they carved my tongue after raping me. Yes, the person in this photo is me. The shape carved out of the center of my tongue is an upside down V, meaning that I'm trafficked, surrounded by thickened white coloring from sperm and lube after oral rape. My tongue is so swollen while my lips are chapped, broken, and bleeding. It was done while I was drugged up against my will. My Traffickers are based out of Washington State with connections all around the world through online communications.

This Human Trafficking Victim had the left side of his face carved out as a backwards 3 from the same organization that has been targeting me for many years now. They consider themselves a business corporation that go by the nickname of 3s or X with Headquarters all around the globe. Usually those who are carved out like this is done by a hook and are Organ Trafficking Victims.

Image by Lynsey Addario from Getty Images

Burns

This form of branding can be done using many different tools from the traditional iron brand spokes to handy lighters used by cigarette smokers.

Common T Branding Tool used mostly on cheeks. Historically, the T stood for Thief, but now can also be meant for being transformed into a transvestite for endless torture as punishment by Human Traffickers from the 3s Corporation.

Image from Slideplayer.com

Many photos came from various locations that sourced back to a website called BackPages that is currently removed containing Sex Trafficking Victims including myself. The source from the Reddit forum social media captures is held for now as it relates to current sexual assault and sex trafficking legal cases that I have. For my safety as well as the other victims, the locations can be revealed at a later date. As for the rest of the information, some of it is sourced from below.

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