Child sex trafficking
It’s estimated that 50 million people worldwide are being victimized by trafficking and exploitation. Twenty five percent are children with about 15% of those being boys and non-binary youth. Research shows that children from culturally and linguistically diverse communities are twice as likely to experience sex trafficking as those children who identify as Caucasian.
It can start in the early years
Child trafficking isn’t a new phenomenon. Many kids continue at school, live at home and continue with outside club and sports activities after they get involved with the wrong type of people. They are often lured with social media, dating apps or by someone they know in a shopping mall, school or other event environment but exploiters have been found to be: family members, peers, romantic partners, educators, employers, community leaders, and clergy.
Sex trafficking is on the rise according to police and charitable organizations providing supports to victims. However, only a quarter of Canadians are even aware that sex trafficking is taking place in our country and that it can happen to someone they know.
What to watch for
The signs of trafficking can be difficult to spot and are often missed, even by the families of persons being lured and groomed and sometimes the victims themselves.
“Training to recognize & respond appropriately to trafficking, as well as trauma-informed spaces to heal help create pathways for more victims to exit exploitation is key” according to experts from Covenant House who say, “It’s best to trust your gut when you feel someone might be at risk”.
Warning signs to keep an eye out for when a young person is being groomed include changes in behaviour and heightened interest in appearance along with the possibility of
1. A young person receiving expensive gifts like clothing, purses, jewellery or spa treatments.
2. Unexplained cash.
3. Secretive behaviour and withdrawal from friends and family.
4. An all-consuming, affectionate new relationship with a new friend or boyfriend.
5. Missing curfew and skipping school 6. A new or unusual tattoo 7. Out of character drinking or drug taking.
Signs of a human trafficking
The circumstances are quite challenging when someone is already being trafficked. They will usually change their living arrangements and find it difficult to leave their trafficker for a variety of reasons. Some people will not show warning signs at all but you might notice a combination of these things if you find them:
• They are unusually anxious, afraid or irritable and avoid eye contact
• Their “stories are inconsistent”
• Different cars and people are picking them up
• A second cell phone appears
• Signs of physical or sexual abuse
• Questions about where they are going are not answered directly
• Poor health, hygiene and seem exhausted
• May have addiction issues (drugs or alcohol).
Leaving a sex trafficking situation can be a dangerous, difficult and long process that often involves discreet assistance from someone who is qualified to help victims.
Starting early can prevent abuse
Dialogue and education that empowers and equips parents, caregivers, teens with the tools and resources like the “Let’s Talk About Sex Trafficking” can get the conversation started. The poignant campaign, created by Covenant House, worked with survivors who shared their real stories to help others protect their children.
If you suspect someone is being trafficked visit Covenant House Toronto for ways to get help.
covenanthousetoronto.ca/protectyourkids
Image: Covenant House Toronto
