Child Exploitation

Schools are uniquely positioned to support students facing exploitation. Because of the regular interaction between educators and students, school personnel can help identify and report suspected cases of trafficking and exploitation and connect affected students to critical services. School districts should establish and articulate clearly defined policies, protocols, and procedures, supported by collaboration with relevant local community and law enforcement partners, for school personnel to follow if cases of child exploitation are suspected or disclosed. School leaders can also provide training and resources on the risk factors and indicators of child exploitation so that teachers, school staff, and trusted adults can recognize and support impacted students.

To counteract risk factors, identifying and building protective factors and a safe and supportive school community can help protect youth from exploitative and trafficking situations. Protective factors can include encouraging youth to seek help, identifying resources to meet student needs, and offering ongoing and age-appropriate education programs. School communities can also teach students and parents about the risks they face online and how to avoid them, as well as encourage open and ongoing communication on safe digital habits. To protect against exploitation and trafficking on campus, schools can put in place physical security measures and screen visitors to school grounds and events.

Within the larger community, federal child labor laws have been enacted to ensure that young people are not employed in dangerous jobs and that their education and well-being is not jeopardized by the work they perform. Employers may only employ young workers in some types of jobs and for certain hours.