Is Your Child Being Lured?

Let’s work together in vigilance. The more we know what to look for, the more powerful we are to end the sexual exploitation of children and child sex trafficking  before it begins.

Parents of survivors say two very important things: “trust your instinct!  If something looks off, question it; and keep them talking to you no matter how upset you may be or they may get – silence breeds vulnerability.”

Traffickers strategically target their victims, often installing themselves into a child’s life through family, friendship, school, church, sports, activities and as a “boyfriend”. Predators know exactly what to say and when to say it to make a child feel safe, accepted, loved and attractive.

They hunt online and engage in roleplay as a grooming method, often posing as a friend of a similar age with similar interests to their targeted victim. They offer incentives, give compliments and engage in supporting acts such as “liking” their victim’s Instagram posts to build trust and rapport. They’ll wait until exactly the right time to ask for sexually explicit photographs or videos of their victims or offer to exchange images.

Parents of survivors say two very important things: “trust your instinct!  If something looks off, question it; and keep them talking to you no matter how upset you may be or they may get – silence breeds vulnerability.”

Traffickers strategically target their victims, often installing themselves into a child’s life through family, friendship, school, church, sports, activities and as a “boyfriend”. Predators know exactly what to say and when to say it to make a child feel safe, accepted, loved and attractive.

They hunt online and engage in roleplay as a grooming method, often posing as a friend of a similar age with similar interests to their targeted victim. They offer incentives, give compliments and engage in supporting acts such as “liking” their victim’s Instagram posts to build trust and rapport. They’ll wait until exactly the right time to ask for sexually explicit photographs or videos of their victims or offer to exchange images.

Here are some signs to watch for in (your) children if you suspect they are being lured online or in person:

Calls to her/his phone from unknown numbers that can’t or won’t be explained/secretive or excessive time on the phone

Regular visits to places inappropriate for their age – clubs, motels, hotels, even coffee shops at odd hours of the morning/night

Distancing from friends and family

New accounts on Kik, Discord, MyLOL, Gmail, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat and a refusal to share passwords

Inappropriate levels of anger when they’re not allowed to use their favorite social media apps

Promises of a modelling career

Expensive gifts like purses, clothes, lingerie and makeup not purchased by her/him

Physical

Unexplained bruises, sores, scars or broken bones

Psychological

Distinct shift in personality – from extrovert to introvert or from introvert to provocative

Lost interest in working out, healthy diet and sport

A few preventative tips for parents like us:

Learn which sites, games and apps your children like to use and ask your children to teach you how to use them

Set limits on how much time they can be online and with whom

If something seems off, IT IS.