About Human Trafficking of Children and Youth
One step in preventing the Human Trafficking of children and youth is to raise public awareness and understanding of the issue. Children and teens from all backgrounds can be targeted, such as boys and girls, those with physical or learning disabilities, and youth of any sexual identity or gender expression (LGBTQIA+i). The human trafficking of children and youth (those under the age of 18 years) can involve sex or forced labor. It’s a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world,ii including vulnerable children and families in Massachusetts. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has played an important role in identifying and helping young people who may be victims. In 2016, DCF updated the list of child abuse allegations to include sexual exploitation and labor trafficking. Mandated reporters must file a (51A) report with DCF if there is reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected. Reports alleging human trafficking do NOT require that the person or people exploiting the child or youth is a parent or caregiver.
DCF works closely with police, survivor informed organizations, and medical and mental health professionals to help keep children safe, especially those who are at risk or who have already been exploited. Massachusetts has a statewide system for responding to reports of CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children). Each Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) has a trained team of experts who work together to support youth who are at risk of being sexually exploited. For more information, connect with the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance here: CACs work together to ease children’s trauma - Massachusetts Children’s Allianceiii
In 2022, newly elected Governor Maura Healy created the Governor’s Council to address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking. Lt. Governor Driscoll serves as the Chair of this Council.
Types of Child Trafficking and Possible Signs
This section will describe the types of child trafficking and important warning signs to look out for.
“I went to his house, and he asked me if I wanted to stay the weekend. I was like, yeah. So then…he said, you know it’s gonna come at a cost…he said like, have sex with me…..I regret it, but it took me out of the streets for the weekend.” (17-year-old Latino male) (Urban Institute, 2015).
Child trafficking can involve one person exploiting a child or a group of people working together to sell children for sex or forced labor.
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation can include commercial sexual exploitation, which happens when something of value is given in exchange for sex.
According to Massachusetts General Law a Sexually Exploited Child (SEC) is defined as:
“Any person under the age of 18 who has been subjected to sexual exploitation because such person:
- is the victim of the crime of sexual servitude pursuant to section 50 of chapter 265 or is the victim of the crime of sex trafficking as defined in 22 United States Code 7105;
- engages, agrees to engage or offers to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee, in violation of subsection (a) of section 53A of chapter 272, or in exchange for food, shelter, clothing, education or care;
- is a victim of the crime, whether or not prosecuted, of inducing a minor into prostitution under section 4A of chapter 272; or
- engages in common night walking or common streetwalking under section 53 of chapter 272.iv
Possible Signs of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
Below is a list of signs that have been associated with children or youth who have experienced sexual exploitation. This is not a list of questions that should be asked. They are signs that should be kept in mind if you are worried something may be wrong. Signs of exploitation can vary depending on the child and the situation.
“In many ways, we’re not any different.” Young Adult Survivor: Transition Age Youth - YouTube
A child or youth who appears to be happy and well-adjusted could still be a victim of human trafficking. Sometimes the person taking advantage of the child tries to keep things looking good on the outside to avoid attention and to protect their own image in the community.
- Changes in the child or youth’s appearance, friend group, money situation, behavior, activities, or relationship with authority, such as being involved in the criminal justice system
- Frequent absences from school or excused absences (for example due to “health issues”).
- Being isolated or withdrawn
- Not allowed to leave or come and go as they wish
- Spending time in places where exploitation happens such as hotels
- Spending time with other people who are being exploited
- Knowledge of other children/youth who are exploited by the same person
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or physical injuries that may represent torture or ritualistic abuse
- Saying they are in a romantic relationship with an older person
- Showing gang signs or being involved in a gang
- Using hormones without a prescription and/or using cosmetic injections (meant to change the body or gender)
- Going from one state to another
- New tattoos (traffickers sometimes use tattoos to mark or control their victims)
- Buying things with credit cards that do not belong to them
- Having cell phones they didn’t buy themselves
“I am more than what’s on paper. Don’t judge me for my past.” Young Adult Survivor Transition Age Youth - YouTube
Family Controlled Child Sex Trafficking is a type of sexual exploitation that happens when a parent or guardian is the one who plans the trafficking or allows it to continue. About 41% of victims say that their trafficking began with family or a caregiver.v
Family controlled trafficking can be hard to spot and even harder to respond to. It’s not talked about as much, and because children often rely on and feel loyal to their family it can be scary and dangerous (threats) for them to seek help.
One study found that victims of family controlled trafficking were less likely to use drugs or alcohol compared to those exploited outside of their family. The same study showed that victims can respond in different ways. Some may have trouble in school, with friends, or with their mental health, while others may do very well in school.vi
Possible Signs of Family Controlled or Organized Sex Trafficking:
Some children or youth may:
- Have good grades
- Be active in their community and have friend groups that are limited to certain circles (like private clubs or faith-based groups) that are chosen or controlled by their families
- Take part in after school activities (set up by family members)
- Have perfect or near perfect attendance at school or excused absences by their parent or guardian who acts as a “gate keeper”
Child Labor Trafficking
According to Massachusetts General Law, Labor Trafficking includes:
- Knowingly subjecting or attempting to subject, another person to forced services, or recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining by any means, or attempts to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide or obtain by any means, another person, intending or knowing that such person will be subjected to forced services; or
- Benefiting, financially or by receiving anything of value, as a result of a violation of clause 1 abovevii
Some examples of the labor trafficking of children can include:
- Forcing children to sell candy, magazines, or drugs
- Forcing nanny work or housework for no pay
- Being forced by gang members to move or sell drugs or guns
The attached Department of Public Health Poster on Child Labor Laws in Massachusetts will give you more information on legal work hours for minors.
The Commercial Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and labor trafficking are often connected. They can share similar risks, traffickers, and ways of controlling victims. They can happen at the same time. For example, a young person may be hired as a live-in nanny or babysitter but then is sexually exploited by someone in the home who threatens to hurt or blame them or their family if they speak up. The exploiter may keep the pay of the nanny or babysitter in exchange for housing or legal papers rather than a paycheck.
Signs of Labor Trafficking include:
- Working long or strange hours
- Not getting breaks or having unusual rules at work
- Tight security where the person works or lives
- Dental or vision problems or an inability to afford health care
- Signs of physical or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture
- Living at their workplace or in a place not meant for housing (for example: factories)
- Being driven to and from work by an employer exhibiting control
- Dirty and overcrowded living conditions with not enough beds
- Food, hygiene products, and living conditions given to them by their employer
- Being lied to about the job (for example about the type of work, the pay or safety conditions)
Response
If you think a child is a victim of sexual or labor exploitation and is in immediate danger, call 911.
The next step is reporting the child abuse (a 51A Report) for Human Trafficking-Sexually Exploited Child or Human Trafficking-Labor at 800-792-5200.
You can also reach out to other helpful resources, including:
- National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888
- SMS 232733
- Chat online at humantraffickinghotline.org
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing victims of crime.
617-740-1600
TTY 617-740-1700
VP 617-326-7546
Contact MCDHH online at mass.gov/mcdhh
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Open PDF file, 306.82 KB, Prevention: What You Can Do Guide (English, PDF 306.82 KB)