• Anyone involved in selling sexual services under the age of 18 is a victim of sex trafficking under U.S. law.
• Most sex trafficking of minors occurs after they are groomed and recruited online.
  • Online recruitment happens through website forums, social media, and gaming chat.
• Children are far more likely to be trafficked by people they already know – including family members.
• Kidnapping a minor for sex trafficking is very rare – most traffickers build trust with victims based on their vulnerabilities and manipulate them into the sexual exploitation. 
• One in six runaways are likely to become victims.

• Homeless by way of being a runaway or throwaway.
• Victims of abuse or maltreatment.
• Have low self-esteem.
• Sexual minority status (LGBTQ)
• In conflict with their parents or caregivers.
• Substance abuse, criminality, or poverty in family.
• Gang affiliation. 
• Contact with child protection authorities or are in foster care.
• Difficulties in school or with peers.
• Searching for love and acceptance.

Essentially – children who have vulnerabilities that are either expressed, spotted, or correctly guessed by exploiters.

• Help your child build self-esteem from an early age.
• Teach your child skills to be resilient.
• Be that “trusted adult” that your child feels comfortable talking to about anything.
• Know where your child is and who they are hanging out with – even if they are home and on the computer.
• Know what apps, games, and social media sites they are on and who they are talking with. 
• Talk with your child about healthy relationships.

• Human Trafficking Hotline on Child Trafficking
• Polaris Project
• A Parent’s Guide to Human Trafficking
• The Issues: Child Sex Trafficking