By Elizabeth Gilreath, Contributing Writer

Take a quick glance at social media or scroll through Facebook and you’re sure to find some mention of the horrific reality of child sex trafficking. This topic is rightfully grabbing our attention from every angle on multiple platforms. Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex trafficking ring, the Wayfair scandal, Blake Lively’s powerful speech on child pornography and other events have brought attention to the dangers faced and endured by many children at what appears to be the hands of powerful people. The politicization and sensationalism of child trafficking revealed that human trafficking is an issue many are prepared to fight against. Truly, these posts are raising awareness that could help protect vulnerable children and create active bystanders who stand up against injustice. However, it is important to ask one question: Are these social media posts showing us an accurate, full picture of sex trafficking?

Recent sensationalism falters in how it presents human trafficking. A look into popular posts and hashtags shows a common idea of protecting children from celebrities and politicians or how clicking on a strange text link can lead to being trafficked. But focusing only on prominent individuals and unverified theories is misleading in the fight against human trafficking and detracts from the injustices happening all around us. Although many are now vocal in their opposition to sex trafficking and child abuse happening elsewhere, they seem to be unknowingly turning a blind eye to an equally important problem: the likelihood of someone in their community abusing children, trafficking children or recording explicit material of children. We need to advocate for children not just because someone else’s kids are at risk, but also because our own are at risk. Socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity and place of residency can play a factor in sex trafficking and child abuse, but the No. 1 commonality is vulnerability. By presenting human trafficking as a problem mainly perpetuated by politicians or prominent individuals, we are so busy looking at Washington, D.C., and Hollywood that we fail to see children around us being abused.

In a Fox interview covering prominent anti-trafficking experts’ concerns about QAnon, Eric Zahnd, a prosecutor and member of the Missouri Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Task Force, stated that in over 20 years of prosecuting sex trafficking cases, he never encountered a perpetrator who did not have a prior connection to the victim. What does this mean? Abusers and traffickers are often people children know. Of course it is vital to fight for children being abused and used by people in power, but it’s even more necessary to be aware of what’s happening in our own states, cities, communities and neighborhoods.

Awareness is the first step to change; it empowers everyone to respond and join in the fight against human trafficking. Although awareness lays the groundwork, we must decide how we build upon that to cause change. Before sharing a post on Facebook or tweeting about the latest topic under the #SaveTheChildren hashtag, check the validity of your claims or that of the post you’re sharing. Care for the children in your life by taking an interest in maintaining their safety and learning about warning signs. Continue raising awareness, shining a light on the darkness of sex trafficking, making abusers uncomfortable and spreading hope for those silently suffering in secret, but I also encourage you to go beyond your screen and partner with One Bread Foundation in our fight against human trafficking.

We invite you to play a crucial part in the rehabilitation of child sex trafficking victims by donating to our foundation. If you’re able, set up a recurring donation for as little as $1 per month to help us reach our goal of recruiting 1 million supporters to raise awareness and funds for rehabilitation centers serving children rescued from sex trafficking in all 50 states. 

Did you know you can also help victims of child sex trafficking through your regular online shopping? One Bread Foundation is a charity affiliate of Amazon, Goodshop, Groupon and eBay. Visit our Shop Now page to learn more, start shopping and benefit children. Finally, if you want to get more involved in the fight against human trafficking, consider becoming a Child Ambassador. We look forward to your collaboration.

Resources and Further Reading

Blue Campaign’s Indicators of Human Trafficking

'Human trafficking experts concerned about misinformation spread by conspiracy group QAnon'

National Human Trafficking Hotline’s tips on recognizing the signs of trafficking