Human Trafficking is on the rise in the United States. As young people there are things we can do to stay safe and keep our friends safe:

Traffickers Look for Runaways

There are a lot of reasons that contribute to wanting to run away. If you are considering running away, call 1-800-RUNAWAY, visit www.1800runaway.org or talk to a school counselor.

Traffickers Look for Ways to Pressure, Scare, and Trick Young People

If you are being pressured to do things you don’t want to do, this should be a red flag. Here are some great resources to check out: National Human Trafficking Center Hotline 888-373-7888 or TXT “Be Free” to 233733 or call local 817-469-8477 or email humantrafficking@fortworthgov.org. Or visit: www.469tips.com.

Pressure to Keep Secrets

Are you being pressured to keep secrets? Some secrets should never be kept and the pressure to keep them is one tactic we see used by traffickers. If you are being asked to keep secrets, consider evaluating the situation and reaching out to a school counselor, nurse or call the Texas Abuse Hotline 800-252-5400. www.TXabusehotline.org.

Go With Your Gut

People are tricky. If something seems off, don’t brush it away, talk to someone about it. Sometimes people aren’t who they say they are. You never really know who you are interacting with online or texting. Here’s a great resource to check out for cyber safety tips: www.missingkids.org/CyberTipline.

Be aware of what is going on around you. You can be part of ending trafficking.

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