A Call to Protect “Our Children”
Child exploitation is one of the most devastating forms of abuse in our society today, and unfortunately, it’s happening far too often in our communities. This horrific crime targets vulnerable children, with traffickers manipulating them into exploitative situations, often under the guise of affection, protection, or financial security. It’s crucial to address this issue head-on and focus on prevention—because every child deserves to be safe, seen, and heard.
In the United States, the U.S. Department of Justice recognizes child sexual exploitation as an underreported and pervasive issue. Exploited children are primarily between the ages of 14 and 17, but children of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances are vulnerable. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children defines child sexual exploitation as any form of abuse where children are coerced into commercial sex acts, which includes prostitution, pornography, and online sexual exploitation.
What is Child Sexual Exploitation?
Child sexual exploitation is the manipulation or coercion of a child under 18 years old to engage in sex-related activities in exchange for something of value, such as money, shelter, or even affection. This exploitation can take place in person or online and is often carried out by traffickers who prey on vulnerable children, offering promises of love, safety, and protection.
This is a crime against our children that requires our urgent attention and collective action to protect those who are most vulnerable.
Steps Every Family and Community Can Take
1. Educate Yourself and Others
To prevent child exploitation, we must first understand the risk factors that make children vulnerable to traffickers.
- Runaways and Homeless Youth: Children who run away from home or are without stable housing are at particular risk. Traffickers often target these children, offering food, shelter, or protection, only to use them for exploitation. Research shows that within 48 hours of running away, one in three children will be approached by a trafficker.
- Children in Foster Care: Kids in foster care, especially those with unstable placements or a history of abuse, are at high risk. The emotional scars of trauma make them vulnerable to traffickers who manipulate their need for connection and safety.
- History of Abuse or Trauma: Children who have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse are more likely to fall prey to exploitation. Traffickers know how to exploit these emotional vulnerabilities by offering a false sense of comfort or security.
- Lack of Family Support: Children who lack strong family connections or support systems are at increased risk of exploitation. Without guidance and protection, they may fall victim to someone who appears to care for them.
- Online Exposure: With children spending increasing amounts of time online, traffickers are exploiting social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps to target vulnerable youth. Lack of awareness or supervision in the digital space leaves children open to manipulation and control by traffickers.
2. Foster Open and Trusting Communication
Building strong, trusting relationships is the foundation of prevention. When children feel safe to communicate openly with trusted adults, they are more likely to share when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Encourage your children to talk openly about their relationships, both in person and online. By listening without judgment and providing emotional support, you create an environment where they can speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
3. Teach Digital Safety
The internet is a critical tool for traffickers, and digital safety is one of the most important aspects of protecting children today.
- Teach About Online Grooming: Traffickers often use online platforms to groom children. They may build a false connection by pretending to be someone the child can trust, offering love, gifts, or promises of safety. Teach children that not everyone online is who they say they are, and encourage them to be cautious of anyone asking for personal information, photos, or secret meetings.
- Monitor Online Activity: While respecting their privacy, monitor your child’s online activity. Having open conversations about what they are doing online helps prevent them from falling into dangerous situations. Utilize tools that help keep track of their social media interactions and online behaviors.
- Discuss the Risks of “Private” Chats and Sexting: Encourage your children not to engage in explicit conversations or send photos/videos that could later be used against them. Traffickers often use these kinds of materials to blackmail or control children. Help them understand the potential consequences of engaging in digital behaviors that compromise their safety.
- Set Privacy Boundaries: Teach children the importance of privacy online. Ensure that their social media profiles are set to private, and stress the importance of not sharing personal information such as their location, contact details, or plans with strangers.
- Create a Digital Safety Plan: Just as children need a safety plan for their physical well-being, they need one for their digital presence. Set clear boundaries for whom they communicate with, what they share, and when it’s okay to block someone or report suspicious behavior.
4. Empower Children to Recognize Manipulation
Teach your children about healthy boundaries and the importance of consent in all relationships. Traffickers often use manipulation and coercion to control children, so it’s important for children to recognize the signs of manipulation and to feel empowered to say “no.”
Practice role-playing scenarios where children may feel pressured to do something they don’t want to do. Building confidence in these situations will help them act quickly if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
5. Be Aware of Their Social Circle
Be involved in your child’s social life. Get to know their friends, their friends’ families, and the people they spend time with. Pay attention to sudden changes in their social circles, particularly if they start spending time with older individuals or people who are overly controlling or generous.
6. Monitor Warning Signs
Keep an eye out for signs that your child may be a target of exploitation. These can include:
- Receiving expensive gifts or money without a clear explanation
- Secretive or withdrawn behavior
- Spending excessive time online or texting new, unfamiliar individuals
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior, such as increased anxiety, depression, or fearfulness
7. Stay Involved in Their Life
Stay actively involved in your child’s daily activities, whether it’s their schoolwork, hobbies, or social events. Attend school functions, meet their teachers and mentors, and maintain a visible presence in their life. A supportive, engaged parent or guardian is less likely to be targeted by traffickers.
8. Report Suspicious Activity
If you suspect your child is being groomed or targeted by traffickers, it’s imperative to act. Report the situation immediately to local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Early intervention can make all the difference in protecting children from exploitation.
If possible, preserve the device or account exactly as you discovered it and avoid interacting with the suspected trafficker until law enforcement can review the communications. This approach ensures that critical evidence remains intact for investigation purposes.
Protecting children from sexual exploitation is not just the responsibility of parents and caregivers—it’s a collective effort that requires the vigilance and cooperation of the entire community. By working together, we can create a safer environment for children and help prevent trafficking before it starts
