Human trafficking: It’s the issue everyone knows about but few people actively think on.
After all, there’s no chance human trafficking could affect you or someone you know, right? It’s only third-world families that need to worry about their child being taken and sold or worse, right?
Wrong.
A modern day form of slavery, human trafficking discriminates against no one. Age isn’t as big a factor as one might think, and both males and females are susceptible.
Only a few months ago we covered a story on Ashton Kutcher’s non-profit organization ‘Thorn’, which has worked to save nearly 6,000 children from human trafficking.
Now, Shontell Brewer, a writer for For Every Mom, has written a list of points to warn all parents over the potentially hidden dangers of the human trafficking trade. Here are 5 things all moms and dads need to know …
1. Human trafficking only happens in poverty
Perhaps the biggest misconception of them all, and one fuelled by TV shows and films. Finances have nothing to do with it, save for potentially even giving communities a false sense of security, according to an FBI agent.
Traffickers don’t always care how much or how little money a family has. Remember it.
2. Traffickers only seek girls
Another popular theory, and one equally wrong as the one above. It’s true that the numbers are higher concerning girls being trafficked, but that doesn’t make males exempt from being trafficked.
Ignorance to such facts can sometimes be the difference maker concerning whether or not your child is vulnerable. Educate them early.
3. What is human trafficking?
For your child to be trafficked, a conventional kidnapping doesn’t have to take place. Simply because you know where your child is and know it to be a safe space doesn’t actually rule anything out.
Sadly, a lot of traffickers now use social media and the like to their advantage. They’ll contact children and then “groom” them, ensuring they believe they have a friend or a confidant, saying all manner of things to form a bond of trust. Then, when the child is at ease, they arrange a place to meet up for a face-to-face chat.
4. Your child isn’t in danger
Your child would never be so naive as to fall for human trafficking … right? Unfortunately, children and young teens are curious and trusting by nature, and may be blind to threats and adult would deem obvious.
The important thing is to know who your child is talking to, and to explain to them from an early age what sort of dangers there are.
5. Human trafficking can’t be stopped
Wrong.
Can we 100% abolish it by way of forcing traffickers to stop? Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean you can’t significantly reduce the chance of your child ever getting into serious trouble by simply educating them early.
It’s a horrible subject to talk about, but the younger the children are the more danger they might be in.
Well, I certainly didn’t know about these five points, but I’ll definitely be monitoring my children closely moving forward.
If you have children, or know anyone who does, share this article on Facebook and help us STOP TRAFFICKING!
