As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read our disclosure policy.
Hello Dr. Cherrye,
Human Trafficking is a scary thought and we never thought it would ‘hit’ so close to our homes, but my neighbor’s daughter was approached by a strange man on her way to school. Thankfully, she is a quick thinker and did not fall for this guy’s luring tactic. She ran away yelling for help while trying to get the attention of others. She made it to school safely and called her mom.
We are not sure what would have happened if this guy had been successful, but all we could think of is that this guy may have been a trafficker. What should parents know about traffickers, Dr. Cherrye?
Dear what should parents know about traffickers,
Dr. Cherrye loves to define the main ‘buzz’ words before diving into her topics, so bear with me as I pause and define what ‘human trafficking’ is. Human trafficking is defined by most experts in the study as an action that involves the use of force, fraud, and/or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial act of sex.
A trafficker’s victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers are known to lure their victims into trafficking by means of severe violence, promises of employment (flashing money), foolery, and/or romance (to name a few).
There are three known types of trafficking, and they are (physical, sexual, and emotional). Please note that no community is immune to trafficking. Let us spend time talking about each one of these trafficking types:
Physical
Physical abuse is bodily injury that causes sizable harm to a person. Physical abuse can also be threats even if there are no visible signs of injury.
Sexual
Sexual abuse is any sexual act that exerts power over the other person. This may include, but is not limited to fondling, penetration, indecent exposure, and exploitation (manipulation/corruption in the abuse).
Emotional
Emotional abuse is an act that results in a distinct, negative outcome of a child’s growth, development, or psychological functioning.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to my research, human trafficking (child abuse) is a crime in all 50 United States, and more than one third of sexual abuse is committed to someone under the age of eighteen. Only one in five adults reported being sexually abused as children, and only eighty-five percent adults who were abused as children, reported their abuse.
What Dr. Cherrye wants you and my audience to take away from this post is that human traffickers are slick. They most definitely study their craft looking for people they deem as weak and needy. Yes, they look for easy targets! Here are a few variables that I want my readers to pay attention to:
Traffikers…
- look for missing links such as home-life instability.
- target areas that may have had natural disasters such as neighborhood floods, hurricanes, and the like.
- look for people who appear to have financial hardships (such as hungry, homeless children).
- look for people who appear to be emotionally vulnerable.
- look for children who run away from home (and now they may need a friendly face, or shoulder to lean on).
- look for children and adults who appear neglected, hopeless and who may need a friend, or someone to call family.
RISK FACTORS
- Traffickers love preying on our young children because they feel our youngsters are easier to trick (deceive and manipulate). Roleplay with your children how not to accept candy or a ride home from strangers.
- Runaway children are forced into child labor and prostitution (be careful about children who may feel unloved and not needed at home. Remember – It does not matter if you feel your child is a ‘good kid’. Any child can be exploited. Think about those feel-good conversations, and self-fulfilling prophecy techniques as you raise and interact with your children.
- Traffickers are skilled in targeting children who have had a history of sexual abuse, date rape, low self-esteem, and little to no social support at home/school.
- Look for signs of physical neglect and malnourishment. Traffickers are skilled in seeking children and people who are products of unstable home lives/environment.
NOTE:
Although our boys can be trafficked too, our teen girls are at a higher risk of being targeted for the commercial sex industry. And even though there are stories of survival (let us not get to this point). Talk to your girls! Please recognize the need to help victims of sex trafficking.
For further information of how to help victims, please read this article ‘Recognizing and Addressing the Needs of Sex Trafficking Victims’ American Nurses Association (2023). All rights reserved. ISSN: 1091-3734 American Nurses Association – 8515 Georgia Avenue – Suite 400 – Silver Spring, MD 20910
Human Trafficking is on the rise, and we must pay attention to our loves. Be aware of how traffickers operate. Remember, they target certain areas of town, and they love to surf the internet (popular social networks, texting apps, and gaming) for their prey. Observe, observe, observe! Know how to keep your children SAFE. Read about this Dad’s advice.
But……. Parents – this key point is most important to your safety.
KEY POINT
Never approach a suspected Trafficker. Instead, notify the police immediately, and allow the authorities to approach the perpetrators. Many police officers are skilled in what to look for, and how to remain safe as they investigate and take traffickers into custody.
LEARN MORE
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week. Languages: English, Spanish.
888-373-7888
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
OPEN FOR COMMENTS
IMPORTANT
I have made it my mission to assist parents and educators in resolving the bullying issues children suffer. Offering your feedback and suggestions in the comment section could facilitate meaningful dialogue on this critical issue among ourselves and I encourage this. I will respond to each comment in a timely way. Should you wish to speak privately with me, please email me at cherryeVasquez@gmail.com and I will reply promptly.
Please take advantage of my 3 Free resources by downloading them today. One of them includes my FREE Bullying Checklist. If you feel that your child has been bullied, please use the checklist to determine if your ‘gut feelings’ are accurate.
