Human trafficking is a massive, heartbreaking problem both around the world and in the United States. A research study completed in 2017 surveyed the largest-ever combined sample of homeless youth in the U.S. and Canada and found that one-fifth of homeless youth were victims of human trafficking.
Traffickers target vulnerable youth — they prey on the ones without parents, guardians, or caring adults to notice they’re missing. This is why homeless youth are highly susceptible to trafficking. Though Fairfax County feels like an affluent area, we actually have an especially high rate of human trafficking — local police report seeing trafficking at every high school in Northern Virginia.
We can all agree on one thing: no young person should EVER be exploited, have to fear exploitation, or be forced to make desperate choices to escape or avoid exploitation. Second Story is working to create a community where young people are safe and have the freedom to dream about their hopes and futures — not fear for their well being (learn more about the specifics here).
Second Story for Teens in Crisis has been the first stop for many young people who were victims of human trafficking. We provide a safe place for them to transition from their trauma to longer-term, more intensive care. We also work to prevent young people from ever being introduced to human trafficking through Second Story in the Community.
Since homelessness places young people at much higher risk to be trafficked, trafficking prevention is an important part of our work. Here are a few ways you can help.
1. Attend a Virtual Open Door Information Session to learn more about how Second Story is helping keep young people safe, and how we’re reducing risk and vulnerability to prevent trafficking in our community.
2. Give to Second Story: Trafficking prevention is prioritized in each of Second Story’s programs — by keeping youth safe we remove the factor of vulnerability, the key to a young person’s risk for trafficking. Second Story in the Community works specifically with gang prevention and keeping young people off the streets after school and Second Story for Homeless Youth and Second Story for Young Mothers provide long term housing, pulling young people out of desperate situations that may lead to trafficking, such as exchanging sex for a play to stay.
3. Share Second Story’s hotline: Did you know that Second Story operates a 24/7 hotline and text line? Young people can call 1-800-SAY-TEEN or text TEENHELP to 855-11 if they need help or wish to speak with a live counselor. A young person should never have to feel targeted or unsafe. Sharing is as easy as clicking the social sharing buttons at the top of this article — post to Facebook or Twitter or email to a friend.
4. Learn the signs: Young people are often targeted for trafficking by predators, especially gangs like MS-13. Position yourself as an advocate for at-risk young people by knowing what warning signs to look for.
