Every year since 2010, the President has dedicated the month of January to raising awareness about human trafficking and educating the public on how to identify and prevent this crime.

Human Trafficking is when someone exploits another person through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of forced labor, commercial sex, or both. In the case of the sexual exploitation of a minor (anyone under the age of 18), force, fraud, or coercion do NOT have to be present for it to be considered human trafficking.

Educators Can Change the Trajectory of Students’ Lives

Educators have a unique opportunity to change the trajectory of students’ lives every day. This includes not only educating themselves on human trafficking, but noticing when a student may be experiencing something that could be a red flag or concern. 

Take these into consideration:

• Students, simply because they are young people, are vulnerable to trafficking.  They are growing and working to develop socially, emotionally, and physically. It is imperative for those who interact with young people to be able to recognize, respond, and report–it can change lives!
• Even though all students may be vulnerable, certain groups of young people are particularly vulnerable because of multiple risk factors. Vulnerable groups tend to include those experiencing poverty, family instability, physical and sexual abuse, lack of access to resources as well as youth receiving special education services. Trauma as well as racism, discrimination, and historical trauma, also play a significant role in increasing a young person’s vulnerability to experiencing trafficking. Because racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience these risk factors, they may also be more vulnerable to child trafficking.
• Trafficking is highly relational. Traffickers can be a friend, romantic partner, a family member, an employer, a religious leader, someone at school, or even someone online. More often than not it is someone who has built a trusting relationship with the person they are exploiting. Knowing what trafficking looks like helps us identify red flags and seek support if we see it happening around us.
• A teacher or school employee is in a great position to identify signs and risk factors associated with human trafficking.
• School staff have proximity to students
• and potential longevity to recognize changes or when something doesn’t seem right. Additionally, the school employee can gain understanding around the context of the student’s situation and learn their story.

If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation: 

• If you suspect human trafficking, please contact the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Human Trafficking Task Force: (616) 632-6125 (weekdays); (616) 632-6100, option 1 (after hours) or email httf@kentcountymi.gov OR
• Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888: Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking. Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733.

For local crisis support and advocacy:

• Safe Haven Ministries Crisis Support: 24/7 Hotline 616-452-6664 
• Sacred Beginnings Crisis Hotline: (616) 279-8111

Educator Training for Human Trafficking Prevention

To learn more about recognizing, responding, and reporting human trafficking, consider signing up for these online, on-demand modules or joining our quarterly Human Trafficking Professional Learning Community meetings.

Interested in implementing human trafficking prevention activities within your middle school or high school classroom?  Consider joining this Training Of Trainers- PROTECT Human Trafficking Prevention Education MS/HS Curriculum.

To find out more ways to engage your school staff and students in Human Trafficking Prevention, contact Meghan Aupperlee, Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Grant Coordinator, meghanaupperlee@kentisd.org

#HumanTraffickingPrevention #WeLeadLearning

This blog post was written by Meghan Aupperlee, HTYPE Grant Coordinator for Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Learning Coordinator and Sara Johnson, PD Hub Intern for Kent ISD.