This report on FOX 11 Good Day LA explains how significant events like sporting events—such as the Super Bowl—attract human traffickers who are looking to target young people. The Teen Project and other groups fighting against human trafficking are working tirelessly to get the word out to the general public about the genuine threat of human trafficking.

Protecting the Most Vulnerable

As part of this message to the public about human trafficking and how these predators are drawn to big events, it’s important to note that the kids who are most vulnerable like foster kids and runaways are the most at risk for this type of crime. While all kids are at risk for human trafficking, those who don’t have a healthy, firm foundation at home are more likely to fall prey to this type of crime. 

It’s Not About Trust

As part of this episode, the founder of The Teen Project further explains the way modern-day traffickers find and access kids. It’s not about the boogie man hiding down the dark alley to snatch a kid as they walk by on their way to school. Today, the victimizing, and grooming process happens online. Kids think they are talking to a peer or someone younger, but instead, they are talking to a grown man who is using a fake online persona to gain the trust of a trusting victim. Parents today have to be extra vigilant to protect their kids online to prevent predators from gaining access to their children. This doesn’t mean they don’t trust their kids but does mean they don’t trust the predator

Predators Don’t Often Look Scary

As another part of bringing awareness to trafficking and the way it increases around big events that draw in lots of people, it’s also important to consider the fact that predators don’t often look scary. Instead, these trafficking rings use women and even other children to approach victims. This allows not only the victims themselves but the victim’s families and support system to let down their guard somewhat. That is why today’s parents should understand that predators don’t always look as expected. Instead, they can look like anyone else. They can look like a business person, another kid, or a neighbor. These predators do not make it obvious that they are evil.