HOW CAN WE HELP?

WHO TO TRUST?

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If you have a friend who may be at risk, here are some people to contact or see a school counsellor. Confidentiality is respected of course or e-mail Ms. Blakeway.

KIDS HELP LINE: 1 - 800 - 680 - 6868

MET A COOL SOMEONE ON FACEBOOK WHO IS TOO -COOL-TO-BE-TRUE?

HERE IS SOME INFORMATION THEY PRESENTED

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION ONLINE
Active recruitment of young girls and boys is happening in chat
rooms and in instant messaging environments. Here are some tips
and facts to keep in mind while chatting online:
• Don’t give out personal information while chatting online
– ie. name, picture, birth date etc.
• Once a picture is sent you can NEVER get it back, so
don’t send pictures especially if they are nude.
• Although it’s strongly suggested that you never meet
someone you’ve connected with online there are some
ways to make it safer; talk to your parents/guardians
about it, tell the person you’re meeting that you are
bringing a parent/guardian and if they are against it,
then this should be a warning sign that something is not
right.
• It’s also very important to meet in a public place, bring a
cell phone, and make sure someone responsible knows
where and when you’re meeting
• Recruiters can be anyone so no matter how long you’ve
been chatting with someone, you never really know their
real identity

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What Are the Clues That a Young Person Might Be Being Recruited Into the Sex Trade?

We all need to be on the lookout for signs that a young person is being targeted or recruited into the sex trade. The earlier we can intervene, the better are our chances of preventing recruitment. Things to watch for are changes in behaviour and attitude, routine, appearance and language.

Changes in Behaviour and Attitude

  • being extremely protective about a new boyfriend
  • withdrawing from home life

Changes in Routine

  • suddenly dropping old friends for a new group
  • having a new boyfriend who is much older
  • having unexplained money
  • coming home drunk or on drugs repeatedly

Changes in Appearance

  • having unexplained new and expensive clothing and trinkets
  • having bruises on the body

Changes in Language

  • bragging about pimps, prostitutes and gangs
  • adopting slang and crude street talk
  • using slang code to hide the true meaning of conversations
  • adopting a street name eg. Ho, Turnout, Main, Ice, Tower

One or two warning signs on their own are probably not significant. However, if a young person you know exhibits several of the signs, he or she may need help. Connect with other people who are involved with the young person to compare notes. Have they noticed similar changes? Are there personal traits or circumstances which make the young person more vulnerable?