This is the fourth in a series of columns that answers the most commonly asked questions about child sex trafficking. We’ve covered why men buy sex with kids, why some kids go willingly with traffickers, and the difference between sex trafficking and prostitution. The next in the series will include the role that pornography plays in the trafficking of children. For now, we’re going to talk about the most important aspect of all—the best way to prevent child sex trafficking.
The best way to save kids from the soul killing crime of consistent, repeated rape for money of children is to prevent it in the first place.
There are many signs of grooming or actual child trafficking that we can all watch for, and there is one action that each of us can take that can make it difficult for traffickers to make their transactions in our communities.
The five most easily identifiable signs are:
The young person is out at an inappropriate time or place.
The young person is inappropriately dressed.
The young person seems sleepy, drugged, sick, or otherwise incoherent.
The young person seems “mismatched” with the adult. This is not necessarily related to skin color—it can be differences in age, clothing, the appearance of a submissive/subservient relationship, etc. Picture a an adult wearing a warm winter coat with a scantily dressed young person who is shivering in the cold.
The young person appears anxious or fearful.
If you see any of these signs, please have the courage to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which is staffed by Polaris in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration of Children and Families. The phone number is 888 3737888. It is staffed 24/7/365 with interpreters available for 200 languages. You can also text 233733 or live chat online at www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.
If you suspect that someone is in imminent danger, call 9-1-1. If you aren’t quite sure about the situation, even if you think there might be a logical explanation for what you see, please allow a trained professional to investigate. In those cases, you can submit a tip through the anonymous online reporting form at www.humantraffickinghotline.org.
The importance of knowing the signs and being willing to make the call cannot be overstated. Still, this isn’t the best child sex trafficking prevention strategy.
According to Dr. Sandie Morgan, Director of kVanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice, the best strategy for preventing child sex trafficking is relationship. Every young person needs to have someone who asks how they’re doing, where they are, what they’ve been doing, and who is in their life. When young people have someone who genuinely cares about them, they’re less susceptible to the lure of people who don’t have their best intentions at heart.
Let’s care enough to ask questions, listen, encourage, and if necessary, make the call.
For easily shareable resources, including the graphics shown here, videos by thought leaders in the fight against trafficking, a downloadable QuickStart Guide To Ending Human Trafficking, and Dr. Sandie Morgan’s podcast, Ending Human Trafficking, please visit www.stopchildsextrafficking.org.
Owner/Editor - Chris Chmielewski