A human trafficking victim may not ____-_______ as a victim.

• A. Self-identify
• B. Cooperate
• C. Resist
• D. Escape

Answer: (A)

A key idea here is that trafficking victims often don’t see themselves as victims because of coercive control, fear, and trauma bonding. The trafficker can manipulate beliefs, threaten harm, or create dependency, so the person may normalize the abuse or blame themselves. As a result, they may not label themselves as a victim when asked, even though they are being exploited. This is why the statement focuses on self-identification rather than on what they might do (like cooperate, resist, or escape). In practice, responders should use a trauma-informed approach, offering safety and resources without pressuring someone to adopt a victim label before they’re ready to acknowledge it.