Child sex trafficking is a form of child abuse that occurs when a child under 18 is advertised, solicited or exploited through a commercial sex act. A commercial sex act is any sex act where something of value – such as money, drugs or a place to stay – is given to or received by any person for sexual activity.
While any child can be targeted by a trafficker, research, data and survivor lived experience and expertise have revealed traffickers and buyers often target youth who lack strong support networks, have experienced violence in the past, are experiencing homelessness, or are marginalized by society. Traffickers are masters of manipulation and prey upon vulnerabilities using psychological pressure and intimidation to control and sexually exploit the child for their benefit. The issue of child sex trafficking is complex. Understanding the various forms of child sex trafficking and indicators can create opportunities for prevention, identification and response. Most importantly NCMEC and IAP embraces and encourages all efforts on this issue to be survivor-informed, child-centered, and trauma-informed.
Myths and
Misconceptions
Parents and other adults need to only be on the lookout for strangers who are hunting for children to exploit.
False: Anyone can be a trafficker, including romantic partners, acquaintances, even family members.
Child sex traffickers usually kidnap their victims or otherwise take them by force.
False: A child does not have to be missing to be involved in trafficking.
Some teenagers get involved in the sex trade because they have loose morals. We shouldn’t worry about them.
False: Children may be coerced or forced into trafficking in order to survive situations such as homelessness.
The only way to reduce child sex trafficking is to arrest all the perpetrators.
False: Reducing demand for sex with children could greatly reduce trafficking.
All children are equally at risk for sex trafficking.
False: Although any child could become a victim of sex trafficking there are risk factors that can put a child at heightened risk for victimization, such as:
Societal & Environmental
• Racism • Bullying • Lack of resources • Involvement in child welfare or juvenile justice systems • Gang activity • Sexism • Xenophobia
Family
• Racism • Bullying • Lack of resources • Involvement in child welfare or juvenile justice systems • Gang activity • Sexism • Xenophobia
Individual
• Racism • Bullying • Lack of resources • Involvement in child welfare or juvenile justice systems • Gang activity • Sexism • Xenophobia
Signs a child may
have been trafficked
•
Has unexplained absences from school/ practice
•
Chronically runs away from home
•
Has a close association with an overly controlling adult (may claim this is a boyfriend/girlfriend)
•
Significantly changes their behavior, including their online activity
•
Has tattoos or branding, such as those symbolizing money, and that the child is reluctant to explain
•
Stops engaging in activities they previously enjoyed
•
Has secret cell phones or multiple cell phone numbers
•
Is in possession of material goods inconsistent with the child’s access to money
•
Has unexplained access to large amounts of money, prepaid credit cards or hotel keys
•
Uses language associated with trafficking such as “Trick”, “The Life” or “The Game”.
Even if it may not happen to your child, it could happen to someone you know. Learn more about the signs
