Trafficking doesn’t happen instantaneously. Traffickers manipulate and trick their victims into thinking they want to be there or it’s their fault. This makes it much easier than trying to keep someone locked up against their will. This also means there is a time before the trafficking begins where we, as fellow youth, parents, and safe adults can recognize the signs of grooming and stop trafficking before it happens! Pay attention if you hear of a persistent relationship with a person online who your friend or child has never met in person or if you notice new clothes or nice gifts from an unexplained source. Tune in to this episode to learn more from Danny Papa with the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking about how you can recognize and stop grooming from leading to trafficking. Learn the role a school bus driver can play and how you, as a truck driver, community member, or local advocate can best equip your local schools to recognize and stop trafficking as well!

Resources:
School outreach toolkit & school transportation toolkit
More about grooming
‘15 ways to engage your school’