ANTI-TRAFFICKING CURRICULUM: A BACK-TO-SCHOOL ESSENTIAL
Children across the United States continue to face harm from online grooming for sexual exploitation, and it is imperative to increase anti-trafficking efforts by equipping schools with the necessary resources to protect children. Education about exploitation, recruitment, grooming, and consent must be taught at every level in age-appropriate and culturally sensitive ways that ensure inclusivity and understanding. ECPAT-USA urges the implementation of a state-wide human trafficking prevention curriculum within schools for students, educators, and school personnel.
Human trafficking is the second-fastest growing criminal industry. Children are less likely to identify and report sexual abuse and trafficking when perpetrated by a family member, close family friend, or a trusted adult in their life, underscoring the importance of trained teachers and school administrators, who may have the opportunity to identify or intervene in exploitative situations that could otherwise go unnoticed. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse during their childhood. Trafficking is happening in communities nationwide; no neighborhood, school, or demographic is immune.
Currently, there is no federally mandated anti-trafficking training within educational institutions. However, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Tina Smith introduced the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Training Act of 2021 last year. This legislation seeks to prevent the trafficking and exploitation of children by providing grants to train students and faculty on the harms and potential indicators of trafficking and on the vulnerable communities often targeted. This training would include information regarding social-emotional skills, online safety, safe dating, and relationships, and would establish policies and protocols for investigating and addressing possible victimization. ECPAT-USA’s Education Department currently offers a workshop series focused on similar issues through our Youth Against Child Trafficking Program. The program is available virtually and free of charge to schools, after-school programs, and youth organizations.
Individual states have recognized the prevalence of this issue and have unanimously implemented their own curricula. In 2017, California became the first state to require human trafficking training for students, teachers, and staff. Currently, Tennessee, Florida, and Virginia have also established this requirement. Florida has taken steps to administer a training program to child welfare professionals, school district leadership, local law enforcement, mental health and victim service providers, and other community partners.
The sooner preventative training is implemented, the better equipped educators and personnel will be to combat the potential victimization of children. Student education is a crucial component of solving this equation; youth need to know the full extent of the potential harms they could face and how to adequately respond. Intervention efforts are equally important, but as harms against children continue to increase, school districts must employ a proactive approach to support and protect children. Furthermore, the long-term physiological and psychological impacts of exploitation and trafficking pose significant lifelong risks for children. As a nation, we have an obligation to ensure training and educational awareness on this issue.