Raise Awareness During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January has been dedicated as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month to raise awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. During this month, we also recognize and appreciate the efforts of anti-trafficking entities, law enforcement agencies, survivor advocates, communities of faith, and volunteers around the world to combat human trafficking. 

Trafficking hits home and is a big problem here in San Diego. According to the San Diego Trafficking Prevention Collective:

• 90% of high schools researched across San Diego County reported cases of sex trafficking
• The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 16 years old
• The sex economy is an $810 million illegal industry
• Children as young as 8 years old are being trafficked

“The best protection we can provide our children from human trafficking is education,” says Paige Metz, health and physical education coordinator at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). “Although January has been designated as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we need to be aware throughout the year, which is why we have curated resources on our website for educators and families to use any time and training for educators throughout the year.”

One way to fight human trafficking is to remain vigilant. Signs to look for in someone:

• Showering with gifts or money or becomes involved in an overwhelming, fast-moving, one-sided relationship
• Developing a relationship that seems to close with someone they only know via social media.
• A job opportunity that seems too good to be true
• Appearing to be monitored or controlled by another person
• Not having control of their own identification documents
• Being transported between school and home
• Living in dangerous or crowded conditions provided by an employer

Some highlighted resources include:

• National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888, text 233733)  
• Recognizing Signs on the National Human Trafficking Hotline website 
• Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Protocols for Schools
• SDCOE Human Trafficking Prevention Resource Guide