Child sex trafficking and exploitation are not limited to any race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. The reality is traffickers/predators prey on those most vulnerable, our children and youth. No community, urban, rural, or suburban is immune.

Child trafficking is one of the most horrible crimes today and also one of the most challenging for communities to recognize and address, often happening in plain sight. You must know the signs to watch for to understand what you are seeing.

Online predator statistics show an alarming trend. The FBI reports a 60% increase in sextortion cases involving a minor within the last 5 years. That statistic relates to prosecuted cases; therefore, one can only theorize the actual statistical increase. How many children have been victims of an online predator but have not come forward?

“Children lack the emotional maturity to discern inappropriate contact. This makes them more vulnerable to manipulation and intimidation. Many children seek attention and validation. Predators are all too ready to provide it to them. The anonymity of the Internet allows predators to hide their identity and children may assume they are conversing with someone closer in age and status than the predator actually is.” – Cyber Crimes Division Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office

Our community presentations will provide your civic organization, club, place of worship, business group or other community gathering the knowledge they need to understand the magnitude of the problem, the different types of human trafficking with emphasis primarily on child sex trafficking, how our youth are being targeted, what the signs of exploitation and trafficking are, what to do if you suspect human trafficking/exploitation and what can be done to prevent it.

“Local communities are the most affected by this abhorrent crime and are also the first line of defense against human trafficking. Proactive community-driven measures strengthen our ability to protect our most vulnerable and weaken a criminal’s ability to infiltrate, recruit, and exploit.” -Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo June 2018

At the beginning of the presentation, the adult audience can download the presentation through a QR code. We will gladly share all of the community presentations and resources to spread awareness and help protect our children from the machinations of predators. We only ask that you not edit the content shared and give Project Protect Our Children credit for the information.

Attendees will leave the presentation with the understanding that each of us has a role to play in the fight against child sex trafficking, exploitation, and abuse. The time for action is now. We all must work together to protect our children.