The news reports of the missing
15-year-old Lily Christopherson in the Bonney Lake area highlights a little
talked about problem of human trafficking. The teenager appears to be a victim
of sex trafficking. Human trafficking can also involve forced labor.
Concern about the problem has
included the Mukilteo Fire Department. In May it had its crews attend training
on the signs of human trafficking. Providence Medical Center Everett also hosted
a forum on human trafficking for local government, police and health care
workers. First responders, government employees, and health care workers are
often in a good position to detect human trafficking if they know what to look
for.
Sex traffickers often target under
age children. To help prevent your child from getting involved in sex
trafficking you can do the following:
·
Know what your children are looking at online.
·
Talk to them about what dating should look like.
·
Know their friends.
·
Look for warning signs such as
o
Signs of physical abuse
o
Withdrawn, depressed, or distracted
o
Displays expensive clothes, accessories or shoes
o
Acquires an older boyfriend or new friends with
a different lifestyle
o
Talks about wild parties
o
Shows signs of gang affiliation
If you need help with your child
and sex trafficking call the Providence Intervention Center for Assault and
Abuse 24-Hour Crisis Line at:
(425)
252-4800
If you suspect sex trafficking in
your neighborhood call the Snohomish County Human Trafficking 24-Hour Hotline
at:
(425)
258-9037
Q13 Fox:
Facebook:
The Herald:
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:
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