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