Preventing Child Sex Trafficking: What Every Child Caregiver Needs to Know

Content advice: This article contains sensitive information about child safety. If you suspect someone is being sex trafficked, please contact your local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 888-373-7888 or texting *233733.

It can be difficult to imagine a child, especially a child you know, experiencing the trauma of human trafficking.

Fortunately, there are actions parents and caregivers can take to protect children in their communities. These include building layers of protection around children and teens to prevent child abuse of all types.

Here are some resources from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and leading child safety organizations to help you get started. But first, it’s essential to understand what child trafficking is and how it can happen.

What is child trafficking?

Child trafficking is a serious federal offense involving the sexual exploitation or forced labor of children. It occurs worldwide, with Children are estimated to make up 27% of all victims of human trafficking worldwide.

Any child can be a target of human trafficking. However, when young people feel unloved, unsupported in their identity or feel like they don’t belong, they can become even more vulnerable to unsafe situations. Research shows that traffickers often target young people who do not have a strong support network, have experienced violence in the past, are homeless or do not feel accepted by their family or society.

Foster children are also significantly affected, with 60% of child victims of sex trafficking having been exploited while in foster care. Organizations like Safe House Project and See Us Now have partnered with the student-led Team Protectors initiative — an effort to raise awareness around the safety and protection of foster children.

Child traffickers also have many ways of reaching out to young people, including online, in public places like shopping malls and schools, and even through friends or acquaintances. In fact, most perpetrators are likely to be people who know children, such as family members, caregivers, romantic partners, and employers.

5 Actions You Can Take to Keep Kids Safe

Knowledge is power and we all have the ability to create safer communities for children and teens.

“As perpetrators’ methods become more sophisticated, it is more important than ever that everyone who comes into contact with young people is educated about the signs of child sex trafficking and feels empowered to take action,” said Elizabeth Fowlkes, Senior Vice President, Strategy at Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Here are five actions you can take to identify child abuse and prevent child sex trafficking in your community:

1. Create a safe space to have difficult conversations with children.

As children get older, it can become harder to have conversations about difficult topics. If you are a parent or guardian, focus on building trust with children early in the process so they feel comfortable coming to you when they feel upset, confused, or unsafe. This includes talking to them early and often about safety, community, and relationships. Here are a few ways to build a trusting relationship with your child:

• Be actively involved in their daily lives. This will make it harder for someone else to isolate your child.
• Teach them to set boundaries and the difference between keeping “good” secrets – like a surprise party – and “bad” secrets that make someone feel uncomfortable or upset.
• Find other adults your child trusts and can turn to for support when you are not available.
• The most important thing is to reassure your child that he/she will not get into trouble if he/she talks to you about something (or someone) that makes him/her feel unsafe, and that you will always believe him/her.

Show your support for the youth in your life by creating a safe space for them to discuss their feelings.

2. Recognize the signs and report your suspicions.

Recognizing the signs of child abuse (including child trafficking) can help you identify and help children at risk.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited ChildrenHere are some signs that may indicate a child is experiencing abuse, neglect, or human trafficking:

• Chronic running away from home
• Unauthorized absence from school
• Secret Cell Phones or Apps
• Unexplained gifts or access to cash
• Carrying prepaid credit cards or hotel keys
• A close bond with a controlling adult
• Significant changes in behavior toward family members and hobbies

To report your suspicions, call your local police or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text *233733.

Signs of abuse or neglect can be different for each child.

3. Create awareness within your community.

Prevention of child abuse starts with awareness. Here are some ways to keep the children and adults in your family and community informed and accountable:

• Show your child how to set healthy boundaries and respect consent. For example, if your child asks you to stop tickling them, even if they seem to enjoy it, listening teaches them that their comfort and safety are important.
• Set expectations for adults to respect your child’s bodily autonomy. For example, tell family members to ask your child’s permission before showing physical affection, such as hugging, kissing, or cuddling in bed.
• Find out if schools or other youth organizations in your area (daycare centers, religious organizations, recreational sports activities, summer camps, etc.) provide training to their staff in child abuse prevention.
• Advocate for education about ‘stranger danger’ and child abuse prevention in schools, using age-appropriate resources for children in all grade levels.

By raising awareness about child trafficking and abuse, we create safer and more united communities.

4. Find a reliable after-school care provider.

If your child attends an after-school program, ask the staff about their strategies for preventing abuse and look for reliable online reviews. For example, at Boys & Girls Clubs, all volunteers and staff members must undergo background checks and are not allowed to spend one-on-one time with a child. All adults at Clubs also undergo extensive training in preventing child abuse.

“Boys and Girls Clubs are part of the solution because they provide a safe, inclusive environment where children feel seen and heard by club staff and their peers,” Fowlkes said.

Find a boys and girls club near you.

5. Monitor children’s use of social media.

Child trafficking and abuse can begin in person or online. If you are a parent or caregiver, regularly review children’s online friend lists on social media and ask about people you don’t recognize.

But supervision alone is not enough. Talk to your child regularly about safe use of social media, both when they first access a digital device and as they continue to use it over time. Be clear about what online behaviors are safe and unsafe, and create a set of digital safety guidelines and expectations for your family to follow.

Check your child’s social media profile to make sure no one is sending him or her messages that they shouldn’t.

All of these actions can help caregivers protect children from abuse, but unfortunately it can still happen. If a child tells you they have been abused or trafficked, a calm and reassuring response can make all the difference in their healing process. BGCA offers resources to support caregivers, including phrases they can and cannot use, so children feel comfortable sharing their experiences.

Find more child abuse prevention resources at Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

This article was originally published on December 3, 2019 and has since been updated.

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Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides mentorship, programs, and meaningful life experiences that build youth self-esteem, self-confidence, and contribute to their overall well-being. Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest resources and stories.