Recognizing Risk: How Traffickers Target Youth

Recognizing Risk: How Traffickers Target Youth is designed to help community members recognize, understand, and prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking. The session defines key terms, explains the difference between trafficking and exploitation, and highlights how traffickers use luring, grooming, and seasoning/breaking tactics to target victims. Participants learn to identify red flags, understand risk factors, and explore protective strategies that build safety and resilience. The program uses age-appropriate language, interactive discussion, and real-world examples to encourage understanding and thoughtful reflection. The program emphasizes that trafficking can happen in any community and that awareness and prevention are everyone’s responsibility. The presentation will also provide resources for reporting concerns and accessing help for those at risk or currently affected. By the end of this presentation, youth and adults will leave empowered recognize unsafe situations, seek support, and help create a community that actively protects and uplifts vulnerable individuals.