K-6 Curriculum and Resources

Federal law defines human trafficking as using force, fraud, or coercion to compel a victim into labor or commercial sex. Additionally, anytime a commercial sex act involves a child it is automatically considered trafficking, regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion. Traffickers look for people who are vulnerable for a variety of reasons – including poverty, domestic instability, and child sexual abuse. According to the Department of Homeland Security, traffickers frequently lure victims by making false promises of love or protection, restricting contact with family and friends, and using threats and violence. These are also tactics common among individuals who sexually abuse children. National research indicates that a child who has been sexually abused is four times more likely to be trafficked for commercial sex than his or her peers (Brantley), thus preventing child sexual abuse is one of the keys to preventing human trafficking. The following child abuse prevention programs equip educators with the necessary tools to address one of the major risk factors of trafficking.