Know the Signs
What are some signs that a child might be at risk or experiencing human trafficking?
This list is not exhaustive. What you are looking for is likely a combination of these factors. You may notice this in a child at school, the playground, or even as one of your child’s friends.
- Alone time with adults who are not trusted family or friends
- Taking sexualized images or videos of themselves
- Posting sexualized images of themselves online
- Secret social media accounts
- Using terms that seem inappropriate for their age, such as “wifey”
- Suddenly having an interest in a boy or girl who is older than them
- Moody and fearful reactions to certain places they used to feel safe, like school or a playground or a friend’s house
- Wearing clothing that is sexualized
- Sudden appearance of gifts or money that they did not receive from you or a trusted family member or friend
- Drops in grades
- Sudden avoidance of school or attempts to not go to school
- Depression or sudden outbursts, mood swings
- Starts drinking or using drugs
- Expressions of wanting to harm or kill themselves
- Running away or attempting to not come home
- Communicating online with people they do not know
- Communicating with adults online
- Attempts to conceal who they talk to online
- Having a mobile phone that was not given to them by a caregiver
- Lack of friends and peer social support network
