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Prevention of Human Trafficking of Children and Youth in Massachusetts

Prevention of Human Trafficking

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

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888

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:

(1) 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;

(2) engages, agrees to engage or offers to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return f

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