In a recent article in the Toledo Blade, Jessica Rawlings explains how she was literally saved from being sex trafficked by a work acquaintance. Think, for example, how her scenario could have played out in any school or employment situation.
I was working a factory job when I noticed one of my male coworkers paying attention to me. He seemed kind and interesting, and we developed a friendship that turned flirtatious. He asked me to go out with him, suggesting fun outings such as ice skating and horseback riding. He even promised to bring his adorable little niece along, whom he’d talked about a lot and wanted me to meet.
But colleagues intervened. They told me he has bragged about being a pimp. I reported him to human resources. Nothing happened. It wasn’t until he grabbed another female employee and attempted to kidnap her that he was fired.
If not for someone saying something, she could have easily been duped into a life of horror. Sex traffickers are extremely good at having stories to cover whatever reservations are raised by their victims.
For example, what person would worry about going out with someone who brought their adorable niece…until that niece was whisked away by an accomplice, leaving the victim alone in the trafficker’s car or apartment. That’s all it takes, and by force or by drugs, the victim gets hooked. Unfortunately, it happens too often.
Moral of the story – if you know someone who brags about their predatory behavior, you owe it to your community to report them to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Let the professionals handle it from there.
Some other articles you should read:
A “How-To” Guide to protect your children
Install an app – protect your children – sight unseen
Watch this video with your children [not someday – TODAY]
Learn child abduction tricks and teach your child
Age-appropriate ways to start having conversations about trafficking
