hen checking in with several storage managers about human trafficking, I discovered that many managers don’t really know how human trafficking can occur in the self-storage business. The managers I spoke with weren’t sure what they should be looking for when doing their daily walk-through.

Keep in mind, the victims aren’t always women. They can be children and even men, whom could be used to transport drugs and complete other illegal activities. Victims can be any age, race, or gender. Estimates show 5 million women and children are victims of sex trafficking. The trafficking business exploits all types of people for sex, labor, and illegal activities.

So, what makes the self-storage business susceptible to human traffickers? First, we have minimal to almost no security at some storage properties, especially at smaller storage operations or remote locations. Obviously, “bad guys” don’t want nosy managers around. This makes remotely operated properties more susceptible to traffickers. The bad guys don’t want to draw attention to their comings and goings at the property or have managers checking the space. They especially avoid any interaction with the storage managers or staff. This makes it more important to be observant and make multiple rounds throughout the storage property throughout the day. If you allow 24-hour access to your property, be careful about which customers you grant it to.

Recent cases in the United States involving self-storage types of trafficking include:

• Milwaukee, Wis. (2024) – Authorities found six children, ranging in age from two months to nine years old, locked in a storage unit without power or water. Two adults were arrested on child neglect charges.
• Cobb County, Ga. (2025) – A man on probation was arrested after he allegedly held a woman captive in a storage unit where he physically and sexually assaulted her.
• Kentwood, Mich. (2025) – A woman was charged with manslaughter after she locked another woman in a storage unit, where a fire later broke out. The victim, who was homeless and had been staying in the unit, could not escape and died in the fire.

Basically, three types of trafficking are found in self-storage. They are people held against their will for sex trafficking, forced labor, and/or domestic servitude.

Human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery, is a serious violation of human rights that involves the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion for labor or commercial sex. This clandestine crime, which thrives on human vulnerability, is a global issue that affects millions of people.

• Sex trafficking – A commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion. If the person performing the act is under 18, it is considered trafficking regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion is involved.
• Labor trafficking – People are recruited, harbored, or obtained for labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion for involuntary servitude.

The distinction between human trafficking and human smuggling is also essential. Smuggling involves illegally moving a person across a border, but the person is usually cooperative. Trafficking, by contrast, is about the exploitation of a person, which can occur even within their own home or community, with or without transport.

• Children and youth – The average age of entry into sex trafficking is between 12 and 14. Traffickers groom minors through online platforms, social media, and in-person contact.
• Marginalized communities – This includes people experiencing homelessness, those with disabilities, undocumented immigrants, and racial or ethnic minorities.
• Women and girls – They are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking, making up a significant majority of victims in the commercial sex industry.

• Physical signs – Malnutrition, poor hygiene, untreated illnesses, and signs of physical abuse.
• Behavioral signs – Appearing fearful, anxious, depressed, or submissive. The person may avoid eye contact and seem to be giving scripted answers.
• Lack of freedom – The individual may not be allowed to speak for themselves, have their identification documents controlled by someone else, or live and work in the same location under high-security conditions.

• Dollar signs
• Traffickers’ names
• Gang signs
• Crowns
• Language around loyalty
• Xs
• Tear drops
• Faces with dates above them
• Hearts with dates above them

• Same attire
• Sign of drug or alcohol abuse
• Branding/Tattoos
• Multiple bruises or injuries at various stages of healing
• No ID documentation
• Fearful of authority figures
• Disoriented and confused
• Always accompanied and unable to move independently
• Unusual work conditions (working excessively long and unusual hours for very little or no pay, with restricted breaks)

• Do walk-throughs multiple times during the day.
• Watch for people who are at the storage property “hanging out.
• If you see something, contact the local police to let them handle the situation. Make sure you tell your supervisor/owner so they can guide you in reporting/handling.
• Check the property before you lock the gate/property. I check the entry and exit report from the gate so I know who is still on the property.
• Educate yourself. Learn to recognize the signs of trafficking and understand the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit.
• Report suspected cases to your local police. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
• For tips and resources, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888.
• Make ethical consumer choices. Support businesses with transparent labor practices and choose fair-trade products to avoid inadvertently supporting forced labor.
• Support anti-trafficking organizations. Volunteer your time or donate to local and national organizations that provide survivor services, advocacy, and prevention efforts.
• Advocate for change. Contact your elected officials to encourage stronger anti-trafficking laws and policies.

Human trafficking is a complex and devastating crime that is now using self-storage to promote what they are doing, but it is not an unsolvable one. By increasing awareness in self-storage, having a good relationship with your local law enforcement officers, and reporting suspicious activity, individuals can help combat this horrific exploitation. The road to a future free from human trafficking requires a collective effort, with informed and vigilant communities standing together against exploitation.