Have you ever considered your personal risk of human trafficking or exploitation? As moms, we sometimes consider and prioritize the safety of our children over ourselves. We think we are "too old". Or even undesirable. If this sounds like you, it's time to start thinking about yourself. This year, recent headlines and a scary personal experience inspired me to rethink how I think about human trafficking. In this post, I'll share some essential tips to keep you safe while protecting your family. Let's dive in!
Acknowledge your risks
Young adults and mothers need to understand that they are vulnerable. We aren't "too old". We don't have "too much going on." We can still be victims. While children are often victims of human trafficking, it is actually very common for young adults (especially women) to be exploited. There are many risk factors but I want to stress that this can affect adults and children of any gender. The most common age for entry into sex trafficking is 14-16 years old but adults can be exploited as well. Unlike children, there typically isn't a national alert system to locate adults unless they have some sort of disability. This makes young adults even more vulnerable because the lack of a coordinated national response system.
Last Christmas, I decided to run to the mall to pick up a last minute gift. I was alone, dressed casually, and perhaps looked younger than I actually am. I parked at an entrance of the mall that was a little bit obscure and not very busy in order to avoid the holiday crowd. Instead of thinking about safety, I was thinking about convenience. After I walked into the mall, I was almost immediately approached by two young girls. The first girl was a Black child who appeared to be between the ages of 9-13. The second girl was a white child with an ambiguous age. She could have been around 11 but she could have also been much older. They approached me with an urgent insistence that I please help them and motioned for me to follow them. I don’t know if it was because I was in a hurry, or if something seemed off, but I brushed them off and said NO. I proceeded to the mall vendor to make my purchase. While paying for my item, I could feel somebody watching me. After leaving the vender, an older Black woman approached me and also aggressively solicited my help and instructed me to follow her. Again, I said NO. At this point I was feeling unnerved so I walked in further to more populated areas of the mall. I went in to several different stores and every time I came out, I would make eye contact with either the woman or the young girls. They weren't standing next to each other, but I would always see them in the same general area and I realized that they appeared to be working together. After calling my husband, and not being able to locate mall security, I decided to integrate myself into a group of mall patrons and eventually made it back to my car. I immediately locked my doors and contacted mall security. They were very nonchalant about what I was reporting and acted as if this was not an unusual situation. As I was driving away from the mall, I noticed the young girls and the woman were in my rearview mirror as I was pulling away. It was the most unnerving experience I have had in my entire adult life. I can’t say for certain that this was an attempt at human trafficking or exploitation, but I can say that it opened my eyes to that possibility and the ways in which I am vulnerable. I am not exempt.
Trust your Instincts
Typically traffickers are not overt criminals. They may share the same ethnicity as their victims or operate alongside a legitimate business such as advertising, hospitality, or transportation services. They may lure victims using pawns or by asking for your help. We teach our children that they best way that they can help in any situation is by telling a trusted adult. When an adult is asked for help, they should always involve the appropriate authority.
Prioritize Safety over Convenience
While it can be tempting to choose convenience at the cost of personal safety, always choose safety first. Park near the front. Stay near the crowds. Don't go alone. Try to run errands during the daylight hours. Talk about your own safety with your kids. Show them how to consider their own personal safety by modeling it during your day to day activities. Adults that are concerned about their own safety raise kids that are concerned about their own safety. I can protect my children by demonstrating an awareness of my own personal safety at all times.
Maintain Your Power
In conclusion, personal safety is a crucial aspect of our lives that should never be taken for granted. By being mindful of our surroundings, taking appropriate precautions, and making wise choices, we can significantly reduce the risk of harm to ourselves and others. By prioritizing personal safety, we can enjoy the many benefits of living a fulfilling and healthy life without fear or unnecessary risk. Stay safe, be vigilant, and always prioritize your well-being. Please share this with every mother of small children. It never hurts to be reminded that we are more that "just mom".
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