This article discusses the risk for teenagers to be sex
trafficked in Ohio. The state is monitoring the internet in a new attempt to
prevent teens from being picked up off the street by traffickers. The emphasis
on this monitoring is identifying risk, which is something we discuss a lot in
social work. The article also mentions that kids who run away from home
multiple times and who have been in the foster care system are more likely to
be trafficked.
We usually talk about risk as something that tends to be
outside of a child’s control. Accumulated risks over time can increase negative
life outcomes for kids. What is not mentioned in the article is how these
specific types of risk are being watched for on the internet. They also do not
mention what they plan to do when they identify teenagers who are in this risk
category. Helping systems are not always the best at protecting kids, and can
in fact traumatize them further. I am curious as to what intervention is lined up
to deal with these preventative situations when kids at risk are identified,
and how much power the state can exert in a prevention situation.
I agree with the concern of knowing what happens after a teen is identified. I know there are apps for parents that when their teen type's keys words (ex: suicide) anywhere ( ex:social media, texts, etc.)the parents will get an alert. I think the app and things like this could be improved by professionals providing assistance for the what happens next question.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great article, and very relevant to my groups that I have at school. We have been talking about boundaries and human trafficking once a week since winter break ended and this semester started. I am interested as well in different interventions/prevention's that will be used for this topic.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a great article and I think it's important for people working with youth to be highly aware of this topic. I agree that there is a need for identifying these risks, but I also wonder what interventions would be used once these are identified. I think prevention is very important, however, there should also be a proposed intervention strategy.
ReplyDeleteIn a training I attended on human trafficking, the speaker cited statistics regarding how people are victimized. If my memory serves me right, most victims are entered into the trafficking arena by someone they know, although the general public tends to imagine strangers kidnapping victims. I am glad this article pointed out some common vulnerabilities of victims that make them targets for traffickers who recognize those vulnerabilities. I believe ddressing the vulnerabilities of individuals is one of the first steps social workers can take to prevent trafficking.
ReplyDeleteI've always been interested in human trafficking, so I really enjoyed reading this article. I think they should start some kind of prevention program at an early age, especially in high risk school districts. In regards to Jessica's comment, with technology and social media these days, I'm surprised they haven't created an app or anything like that. I wonder if they create some kinda of number that will alert the authorities when you can text key words. Again with human trafficking being such a hot topic the last few years, I am surprise they haven't.
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