Fighting Sex Trafficking Year-Round
As Human Trafficking Awareness Month comes to an end, OAG understands the importance of educating youth and our community year-round about on how to stop the most common form of this terrible crime: sex trafficking. This type of trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that forces victims to exchange sexual acts for anything of value.
This month, OAG rolled out several new efforts to educate the community about the warning signs of sex trafficking and resources for survivors, including:
- Launching a public service announcement (PSA) campaign in hundreds of WMATA buses. OAG’s PSA awareness poster was developed with FAIR Girls, a local service provider that works to prevent the sexual exploitation of all girls, to build awareness of sex trafficking in the community. The PSA highlights the problem of sex trafficking and how residents can seek help for themselves or someone they know.
OAG's Anti-Trafficking PSA in WMATA Buses.
- Developing educational resources and tips to protect kids online. OAG created a post card with information about what trafficking is, its warning signs, and resources for survivors in a way that is easy for youth to understand. OAG also issued steps parents can take to protect their kids from sex traffickers online.
OAG's new anti-trafficking post card for youth.
- Training students and teachers. OAG hosted trainings about sex trafficking at Johnson Middle School, McKinley Tech Middle School, Sousa Middle School, and Woodson High School. These trainings are a part of a continued effort to raise awareness about how to spot sex trafficking and get help for survivors. To request a training, email stoptrafficking@dc.gov.
OAG, in conjunction with FAIR Girls and Karana Rising, present an anti-trafficking training at Johnson Middle School.
Do you know how to spot the warning signs of sex trafficking? Learn to recognize the red flags, which include:
- Running away from home
- Not attending school
- Having large amounts of cash or other unexplained valuable items
- Signs of physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises, or cuts
- Learn more warning signs with our free factsheet
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “Help” to 233733 (BeFree).
OAG’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative works to identify youth at risk of sex trafficking in the child abuse and neglect system and connect those youth to support services. OAG also works to educate youth and the community about the warning signs of sex trafficking and how they can help victims.