Child Trafficking Prevention Education Program Available

The Niagara County Safe Harbour Program is now licensed to provide Not a #Number: A Child Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Curriculum from LOVE146.

Not a #Number is an interactive, five-module prevention curriculum designed to teach youth how to protect themselves from human trafficking and exploitation through information, critical thinking, and skill development. Not a #Number is relevant to a variety of populations and has been embraced by schools, child welfare, and juvenile justice agencies, and other youth-serving organizations. For more information and to preview the curriculum, go to the LOVE146 website.

If you are interested in hosting the program at your organization, please call (716) 285-0045. The program is provided free of charge.

About CSEC and Child Trafficking

Human trafficking is the practice of exploiting people including children as commodities in conditions of sexual and labor servitude.

Examples of child trafficking can include:

prostitution on the streets or in a residence, club, hotel, spa, or massage parlor
online commercial sexual exploitation
exotic dancing or stripping
agricultural, factory, or meatpacking work; construction; domestic labor
illegal drug trade
door-to-door sales, street peddling, or begging

Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a global problem that could be happening right in your neighborhood. The commercial sex industry victimizes boys, girls, and transgendered youth. CSEC occurs when individuals buy, trade, or sell sexual acts with a child. A commercial sexual act occurs when anything of value is given to or received in exchange for a sexual act.

Examples of CSEC can include:

images of child sexual abuse
intra-familial exploitation of children and youth
exotic dance or performance
sex tourism
cyber-enticement
domestic minor sex trafficking

Common red flags

A child or youth:

runs away frequently and/or for significant periods of time
uses street slang for sex work
has a significantly older partner or spends a lot of time with a controlling person or older adult
describes a stalking situation
is reluctant to discuss how they make money, where they live, how or when they came to the US
is working more than they are in school
is fearful of government officials such as police or immigration officers
seems frightened or consequences to a degree greater than the situation warrants
depends on a friend or co-worker to answer questions
experiences suicidal ideation and depression
disconnects from social supports such as family, friends, church, teachers, and others
suffers from untreated injuries or provides explanations inconsistent with injuries
has tattoos expressing ownership
experiences multiple sexually transmitted infections, abortions, or anonymous sexual partners
has been sexually abused.

Help is available.

Read the Niagara County Safe Harbour Project Newsletter. Safe Harbour Newsletter January 2016 Safe Harbour Newsletter July 2016

National Human Trafficking Resource Center:

1-888-373-7888 (24/7 National Hotline) -or-

Text Help to BeFree (233733)

Survivors Hotline (Courtney’s House)

1-888-261-3665

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

1-800-843-5678

Department of Homeland Security Tip Line

1-866-DHS-2-ICE or 1-866-347-2423

Niagara County Safe Harbour Project (Child Advocacy Center of Niagara)

716-285-0045