Page 53 - AK Parent Spring 2020

happens occasionally, but that’s not what we’re seeing in Alaska.”
Gwen agrees, saying it’s fear – of the trafficker, of friends and family finding out, or both – that keeps the child trapped.
“They’re not chained, they’re not necessarily in cages,” she says. “They’re out walking around. It’s fear and intimidation that keeps them from saying anything.”
SEX TRAFFICKING RECRUITMENT
Like child sexual abuse, sex trafficking begins with a grooming period, which can take days, weeks, or even months.
“Generally, it starts with a friendship, or a perceived friendship, that meets a need to be seen, to be beautiful, to be someone,” Sherrie explains.
When it comes to girls, Gwen says it commonly happens in one of two ways. In some cases, the trafficker positions himself as a potential boyfriend and showers the girl with extravagant gifts. In others, they pose as a modeling agency or photographer looking to recruit the girl for her looks.
The segue from relationship to trafficking can be subtle. The trafficker slowly creates a wedge between the child and their family, Jolene says, casting themselves as
the only person who understands them. After providing them with gifts or money or, for children with nowhere to go, a place to stay, the trafficker may suddenly request repayment in the form of commercial sex.
Other times, the trafficker asks the girl to sleep with several of his friends as a one-time favor because he needs the money, Gwen adds.
One thing parents should be wary of is a new relationship that begins to interfere with established, trusted relationships in the child’s life.
“Generally, it starts with a
friendship, or a perceived friendship, that meets a need to be seen, to be beautiful, to be someone.”
“If a new person enters the picture that you feel is driving a wedge, that’s a huge red flag.”
“Once they cross that threshold, it’s pretty much repetitive selling,” Gwen says. “They are trapped in a trafficking situation, not physically but mentally.”
RED FLAGS
Identifying when a child is a victim of trafficking can be difficult, Sherrie says, because many of the signs, like private texting, spending extended periods of time on the phone or online, or withdrawing from family, are also typical of teenage behavior.
“If a new person enters the picture that you feel is driving a wedge, that’s a huge red flag,” Gwen says. “All those wedges are being driven to build trust between her and the trafficker.”
Sudden changes in behavior, such as plummeting grades, lack of attention, or putting a new relationship above friends and other activities can also indicate a problem, Gwen adds.
Parents should also look for signs of self-harm, such as cutting or slashing, which some girls engage in as a way to deal with the shame they feel having participated in selling sex for money, Sherrie adds.
The appearance of a second cell phone is another big red flag.
Continued on page 54
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