Our Students: Human Trafficking Signs

You know the saying, “When you know better, you do better?” Knowing the human trafficking signs and human trafficking statistics requires us to do a better job informing our students and watching out for scary situations.

If you’re a school counselor this scene will sound familiar: Imagine scheduling classes, holding parent meetings, conducting data meetings, finding time to counsel crying students over breakups, pet deaths, grades, and everything in between. Imagine hearing a whispered rumor about a particular student. In passing, a teacher mentions her grades have dropped. You think about how that student’s appearance has changed. Is all of this coincidence? Or is it more?

As a school counselor this scenario unfolded in my rural school. I listened to my heart, and I made a call that launched an investigation. When the dust settled, trafficking was going on under our noses. Now that I know human trafficking signs and human trafficking statistics, I am committed to spreading awareness in hopes of ending human trafficking in the United States.

Human Trafficking Definition

We recently had the honor and privilege to talk with Jo Lembo from Shared Hope, International on our weekly podcast. Shared Hope is an organization that exists to prevent sex trafficking and restore and bring justice to women and children who have been victimized through sex trafficking. Through our two-part conversation with Jo from Shared Hope, we learned that the human trafficking definition is when a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion, OR when the person used to perform the act is under 18 years old.
A commercial sex act means any item of value is traded for any sexual service (prostitution, pornography, or sexual performance). Domestic minor sex trafficking is the commercial sexual exploitation of American children within U.S. borders for monetary or other compensation (shelter, food, drugs, etc.). This is synonymous with child sex slavery, sex slavery, child sex trafficking, prostitution of children, and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). It was staggering to learn that the most common age is 14 – 16.

Where Does Human Trafficking Happen?

Believe it. Human trafficking is everywhere.
Every continent in the world has been involved in human trafficking. Human trafficking in the United States is most prevalent in Texas, Florida, New York, and California. Victims of trafficking can be of any age and any gender (Catholic Relief Services). Believe us when we say: it can happen anywhere! Small towns, safe communities, and rural neighborhoods are not exempt. With the expansion of the internet, pimps are continually trolling the internet posing as a teen girl or boy interested in friendship. The relationship is developed without threat until the unsuspecting child agrees to meet them, to send compromising photos, or shares their deepest secrets with them.  That’s when the predator can move in and begin to separate them from their safety nets.

Human Trafficking Signs

After our podcast interview, we were able to put together the following list of human trafficking signs:

• Watch for signs of physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts.
• Attendance matters! Are there unexplained absences from class?
• Does this student exhibit sexualized behavior?
• Is the student overly tired in class?
• Is the student withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out? This is especially concerning if it’s different from past behaviors.
• If the student brags about making or having lots of money, this could be concerning.
• Is the student dressing differently than before? Maybe less appropriate or new expensive clothes, accessories or shoes.
• Watch for new tattoos (tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims. Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking).
• Listen up for talk of an older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle.
• Does the student talk about wild parties? Make sure the student doesn’t invite other students to attend these wild parties.
• Watch out for signs of gang affiliation (color colors, notebook doodles of gang symbols, etc.).

How Do You Report?

Jo Lembo told us on our podcast that school counselors freeze sometimes when they have concerns or suspicions that a student is being trafficked. They think, “I suspect trafficking… Now what?!” Jo reminded us and our listeners to keep your mandatory reporting and rape protocols in mind. What would you do in one of those situations? The process is likely the same. Keep these numbers handy:

1. National Human Trafficking Hotline. 1-888-373-7888. …
2. The National Runaway Switchboard. 1-800-RUNAWAY. …
3. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. 1-800-843-5678.

How Can We Prevent?

Educate. Educate. Educate!
All students (elementary school through high school) need to receive sensitive, and age-appropriate education on human trafficking prevention. Training needs to be incorporated into existing required classes, such as health. In addition to the curriculum, incorporate human trafficking in other school activities such as community service, student clubs, and organizations. Include posters around the building with human trafficking information and help numbers. Develop an anonymous and straightforward reporting system for students to alert trusted school personnel of possible trafficking situations. Provide language-appropriate training for students and parents who are not fluent in English. Consider hosting a training for parents, especially parents of young children.

Would you believe that our podcast and these tips have already uncovered potential trafficking situations? We are so grateful for Shared Hope and their mission!