ABOUT THIS GUIDE
As a school resource officer (SRO), you are in a unique position to reach students considered vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking. You play an important role because you may regularly interact with different students as part of your daily job duties, thus often building rapport amongst the student body and gaining their trust.
You may be able to recognize signs that something is wrong in a student’s life. This guide seeks to inform SROs about human trafficking and its indicators so you can be better prepared to recognize a potential victim at the school you serve and know how to report a potential case. This guide includes information about:
- What human trafficking is
- How to recognize it among youth
- Tips for talking to students about general exploitation
- Building life skills that may help prevent youth from being trafficked
- Reporting options if you suspect a student is affected by human trafficking or being exploited
- Ensuring potential victims or impacted students get connected to appropriate service providers/support services
Therefore, once SROs become confident with these tools and how to implement them, schools and officers will become better equipped to effectively combat human trafficking.
WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Human traffickers use various forms of force, fraud, and coercion to control and exploit victims. These forms may include but are not limited to fraudulent employment opportunities, false promises of love or a better life, psychological coercion (i.e., threats of blackmail), and violence or threats of violence. However, causing someone under the age of 18 to engage in a commercial sex act, regardless of using force, fraud, or coercion is human trafficking under U.S. law.
The crime of human trafficking hinges on the exploitation of another person. People often mistakenly believe “human trafficking” implies victims must be moved from one place to another to qualify as a victim. Human trafficking does not require transportation to be considered a crime.4 It is a crime that can be committed against an individual who has never left their hometown.
Who It May Affect
Human trafficking victims can be any age, race, gender identity, sex, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, and socioeconomic class. In many cases, victims do not come forward to seek help because of varying vulnerability factors that may include potential language barriers, a fear and distrust of law enforcement, or not self identifying as a victim.
Students may be particularly vulnerable to this crime simply because of their young age and lack of life experience, which make them less equipped to make informed and sound decisions when presented with a situation that may lead to trafficking. Traffickers target vulnerabilities and will look to satisfy whatever need a student has, whether it’s providing basic necessities like food or shelter or emotional support.
Risk Factors
Understanding risk factors can help place SROs in a better position to aid in preventing the students they interact with from being exploited. Students often experience individual and environmental risk factors that make them more vulnerable to human trafficking situations. Keeping the following risk factors in mind will help provide you with a better understanding of human trafficking victimization:
- Poverty
- Homelessness
- Interaction with foster care or juvenile justice systems
- Lack of support networks, like strong relationships with friends, family, or other trusted adults
- Gang involvement, especially among youth who identify as female
- History of running away and or being kicked out of their home
- Low self-esteem
- Personality and characteristics of an empath or “people pleaser”
- Being bullied
- History of self-harm or suicidal ideation/attempt(s)
- Experiencing discrimination due to their race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, or other personal characteristic
- History of abusive intimate partners (i.e., boyfriends or girlfriends)
- Family history of sexual abuse or violence
- Family history of mental health disorders or disabilities
- Cultural historical trauma (particularly among minority communities)
- Community or familial history of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation
- Substance abuse or addictions
- Cognitive and physical disabilities
- Being the sole or primary provider for their family