Christine Sylvia, Program Committee Member, Gateway Alliance against Human Trafficking
In our modern society, where safety and protection should be paramount, a threat preys upon our most vulnerable: our children. Human trafficking thrives within the borders of the United States. Contrary to common belief, it isn’t a distant menace saved for adults; it lurks in our neighborhoods, schools, and online spaces. According to 2021 data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 23% of victims who first contacted or were reported to the hotline were minors (Polaris, 2021). The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (2024) received more than 18,400 reports of possible child sex trafficking in 2023.
These numbers suggest trafficking occurs across communities and demographics. There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of a child or teen becoming a trafficking victim. Vulnerable youth, including runaways, homeless individuals, those in the welfare or juvenile justice systems, those with disabilities, school dropouts, LGBTQ individuals, and migrants, face an increased risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. Additionally, students from low-income and unstable families, as well as minority youth, face a higher probability of becoming a trafficker’s next target. Furthermore, children who have experienced physical or sexual abuse are also at greater risk (U.S. Department of Education, 2021). Although these risk factors are important to consider, they don’t tell the whole story. We need to broaden our perspectives beyond traditional risk factors and take a more holistic approach by considering individual characteristics (Reid, Baglivio, Piquero, Greenwald, & Epps, 2019). Limiting our scope puts every child at risk. It is dangerous to assume that trafficking is limited to a specific group of children or circumstances.
Modern technology has provided predators access to children from all communities and backgrounds. Our younger generation has grown up with the internet and electronic communication. They are comfortable talking to strangers (who feel like friends) in online gaming communities, social networks, and other arenas. Without face-to-face interactions, traffickers can pose as peers, gaining the trust and perceived friendship of their targets. In 2021, 65% of all trafficking victims using the National Human Trafficking Hotline were recruited online (Polaris, 2021).
Given the prevalence of these crimes, we need to focus on prevention and intervention. Schools can play a crucial role in preventing our young adults from falling prey to predators. Programs that teach boundaries, appropriate behaviors, healthy relationships, and promote positive self-esteem are imperative to help prevent our most vulnerable from this crime. Efforts should be made to teach social-emotional skills and offer skills-based human trafficking curricula (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, 2021). A crucial element of trafficking prevention is encouraging students to identify safe adults whom they can rely on to discuss concerns and provide resources (Lesak, A. M., Rizo, C. F., Franchino-Olsen, H., Jenkins, M. R., Winslow, H., Klein, L. B., Martin, S. L., Macy, R. J., Colbert, R., Croft, C., & Dunkerton, C., 2023).
If we are to protect children in our schools, all school personnel should be taught the signs of trafficking along with school procedures to report a possible trafficking victim. Many young adults don’t see themselves as victims and may believe they have a real relationship with the perpetrator. Because the trafficker may provide the youth with money, expensive gifts, and sometimes even a feeling of belonging, the victim may believe they are better off in their current situation. Teens in these circumstances may not ask for help or even know they are being manipulated.
Parents and caregivers can also take several steps to protect their children (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2024). They should:
- Monitor online activity: Many predators befriend children and teens through social media and online gaming.
- Know their child’s friends and romantic interests: A boyfriend/girlfriend who seems older, buys expensive gifts, or refuses to come to the family home could all suggest a problematic relationship. Many young adults are manipulated into trafficking situations by individuals who they believe to be their romantic partners.
- Communicate and ask questions: As important as it is to give youth some autonomy as they move toward adulthood, parents should still communicate regularly and know what is going on in their children’s lives.
- Discuss boundaries and inappropriate behaviors: Movies and TV shows present may scenarios of inappropriate situations and can be used to spark a conversation. Debunk the victim mentality and reinforce the idea that we are never to blame for others’ actions and it is ok to remove ourselves from harmful situations, even if we care about the person harming us.
- Recognize changes in behavior: Drugs and alcohol are often used by traffickers to manipulate and control young adults. Disappearing overnight or for several hours without any explanation is another red flag.
In confronting the pervasive threat of human trafficking, it is imperative that we acknowledge the complex landscape in which it operates. No child is immune, and no community is exempt from its reach. Prevention measures must involve the schools and families. Together we should be unwavering in our commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of our youth.
Reference:
Lesak, A. M., Rizo, C. F., Franchino-Olsen, H., Jenkins, M. R., Winslow, H., Klein, L. B., Martin, S. L., Macy, R. J., Colbert, R., Croft, C., & Dunkerton, C. (2023). Recommendations for educating youth about sex trafficking. Journal of Human Trafficking, 9(4), 446-460. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2021.1951552
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (2024). Child sex trafficking in America: A guide for parents and guardians. https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/missingkids/pdfs/CSTinAmerica-Parents-Guardians.pdf
Polaris. (2021). Polaris analysis of 2021 data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Polaris-Analysis-of-2021-Data-from-the-National-Human-Trafficking-Hotline.pdf
Reid, J., Baglivio, M., Piquero, A., Greenwald, M., & Epps, N. (2019). No youth left behind to human trafficking: exploring profiles of risk. American Journal of Orthpsychiatry, 89(6), 704-715. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000362
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools. (2021). Human trafficking in America’s schools: What schools can do to prevent, respond, and help students to recover from human trafficking (2nd ed.). https://www2.ed.gov/documents/human-trafficking/human-trafficking-americas-schools.pdf