Trafficking is happening now in our communities, hidden in plain sight.
January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and while Jeffrey Epstein dominates headlines once again, society is at risk of missing a critical truth. Epstein was not an anomaly. His actions were part of a broader, ongoing crisis that continues to unfold in communities across this country.
Every parent in America should worry about human trafficking. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and online exploitation, and someone who has spent decades working in prevention and survivor support, I know this: Abuse, exploitation and human trafficking thrive in silence and stigma. They thrive when adults assume “it can’t happen here,” when warning signs are ignored and when systems respond only after harm has already occurred. Teddy bears are pictured. Human trafficking isn’t something that happens “somewhere else.” It’s not relegated to Epstein’s island or infamous parties hosted by disgraced rap stars. Trafficking happens in every ZIP code in the United States—in homes, schools, mall, and increasingly, on phones and laptops—hidden in plain sight, fueled by grooming, manipulation and secrecy. If we look at the news over the past year, we can quickly spot innocent children making headlines because adults and systems meant to protect them failed. Often, child and teenage victims meet their traffickers online through apps, games and social media—without the adults in their lives having any idea what’s really going on. Access to the digital world has amplified an existing problem, which is why it is important that every parent in America hear this message: If we keep looking for trafficking only in extreme or sensational cases, we will keep missing what may be happening right in front of us. In 2023 alone, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received more than 36 million reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation through its CyberTipline. That number represents access—and opportunity—on a scale we have never seen before. We tell ourselves, “Not my child.” But think back to your own childhood and teen years—the innocence, the curiosity and natural tendency to push boundaries. How are kids getting caught up in unthinkable crimes? In an online world that gives predators unprecedented access, natural curiosity and vulnerability can be exploited. Well-publicized cases offer an opportunity to raise awareness and secure justice for survivors, but if we are serious about stopping trafficking, this accountability must also be paired with community education. Most victims are not abducted. They are groomed—often gradually, often online, often by someone they trust. That means our most effective tools are education, awareness and early intervention. Prevention works when it is taken seriously and implemented early, as found in evidence-based curriculum. Here are three ways you can protect your kids starting today. First, talk openly with children about safety from a young age. Age-appropriate conversations about boundaries, online behavior and trusted adults give children the language and confidence to speak up when they feel unsafe or unsure. Second, know what your child has access to. Account for all digital devices in the home, and monitor your child’s online behavior across games, apps and social media. Last year, it was reported that a Utah teenager was using an old, unaccounted phone to connect to the internet before meeting up with a predator. These things can seem impossible until they happen, and it’s up to us to keep our kids safe. Third, learn about and watch for red flags. Sudden changes in behavior, secrecy around devices, unexplained gifts, or withdrawal can all be warning signs. Knowing what to look for helps interrupt exploitation sooner. Human Trafficking Prevention Month should not be about recycled outrage or symbolic gestures. It should be about clarity and action. Trafficking is happening now—not just in secret enclaves for the rich and powerful, but in our communities, hidden in plain sight. If we want to stop this exploitation, we must stop treating it as rare, stop waiting for extreme cases to shock us into action and start strengthening the protections that keep children safe before harm occurs. Silence is the trafficker’s greatest ally. Action is ours. Lauren Book, M.S. Ed, is a child advocate, former classroom teacher, best-selling author, former Florida state senator and the founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids. As a victim of childhood sexual abuse for six years at the hands of a trusted caretaker, Lauren founded Lauren’s Kids as a vehicle to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help other survivors heal. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
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