While anyone can be vulnerable to human trafficking, some experiences may make a child more vulnerable to predators, including traffickers. Awareness of vulnerabilities helps adults know how they can best identify concerns and provide support to protect children in their lives.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, that could be associated with issues later in life including substance use, risky behaviors, and chronic health problems which may leave a child more vulnerable to trafficking. It is important to note that although the research found a correlation, this does not mean a child is guaranteed to have problems because of the experiences they had in childhood.

There are also additional risk factors that can make someone more vulnerable to predators.

Protective Factors

Though a child might have experienced hardships in their life, that doesn’t mean they are destined to be trafficked or experience later problems. Having strong protective factors helps negate those adverse experiences and can protect kids from being vulnerable to trafficking. Examples of protective factors include:

• Having a trusted adult they can go to, like their parents, teachers, coaches, other relatives, or adult family friends
• A strong self-esteem or sense of self-worth
• A good understanding of what healthy relationships look like
• The ability to advocate for oneself
• An awareness of what trafficking is. Educating children on what trafficking is can help them identify if they, or a friend, are potentially being groomed for trafficking
• Having their basic needs met. Kids who are desperate for food, shelter, or whose parents are abusive or neglectful to them will be vulnerable to anyone who promises to help them out of their situation
• Community connections and involvement with their church or other house of worship, extracurricular activities, clubs, or healthy friend groups
• Knowledge of how to be safe online