Projecting Your Children From Trafficking
Our team at Alabaster Jar Project will always be family oriented, for the majority of us on staff are parents ourselves. Because 70% of our staff are also survivors of human trafficking, we all have spent a lot of time working on how to protect our children from trafficking predators, and how to talk to them about healthy relationships. While this may seem unnecessary to some, the reality is that in San Diego, sex trafficking yields over $800,000,000 per year. While many believe that this is due to our proximity to the border, the truth is that American citizens are trafficking and purchasing American citizens. It is likely that in your lifetime, you may meet someone who has been trafficked.
When facing that reality, the first thing that comes to mind for many of us is our own children. The potential of our children becoming trafficked is probably the worst horror a parent could imagine! However, there are many ways we can protect our children, and your first line of defense should always be your strong relationship with them. Here are some ways you can nurture your relationship with your children in order to prevent them from ever becoming exploited themselves:
Use positive communication: Acknowledge your children’s strengths and good decisions. Don’t just tell them that you are proud of them, tell them why you are proud. Instill confidence in them as often as possible. The more they believe in themselves and their inner power, the less likely their vulnerabilities will be exploited by a predator.
Get to know their social circle: Meet all of your children’s friends, even, or perhaps especially, the adults whom they spend time with. Pay close attention if one of their relationships isolates them from you and others.
Lead by example: The way you express and receive love will not go unnoticed by your children, and can even shape the way they develop relationships themselves. If they recognize what healthy relationships look like early on, they will likely avoid the kind of toxic relationships that come with trafficking and exploitation.
Monitor their virtual activity: Be sure you know your children’s online account information and passwords to every site they use. Trafficking predators often use social media and dating apps to recruit potential victims. Teach them to never share personal information with strangers online.
Keep conversations age-appropriate, but DON’T be naïve: Make sure that all conversations you have with your children regarding healthy relationships are age-appropriate, but “My child would NEVER do that!” is not a guarantee. Childrens' lack of life experience can make them prime targets for predators.
Educate yourself on issues surrounding human trafficking: Stay informed about human trafficking and any new developments found that can affect those we love. This blog will always use vetted, researched sources, but for national information on human trafficking, we encourage you to visit polarisproject.org.
If you feel that your child or someone you know is in immediate danger of trafficking or sexual exploitation, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888. NEVER try to rescue a trafficked individual from a dangerous situation by yourself.
Our team is constantly trying to help those who have been trafficked in hopes that one day, human trafficking will become history, no longer affecting our present-day San Diego. To get involved in our mission of restoring, rehabilitating, and empowering survivors of human trafficking, please visit our website.
