Parents

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Who We Are - The End Human Trafficking Team of Lincoln City

Behavioral Warning Signs

Unexplained absences from school or running away from home
Withdrawal from family, friends, and normal activities
Sudden changes in behavior, attitude, or friend group
Evidence of an older "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" — especially an adult
Substance use that seems new or escalating
References to "the life" or "the game" (trafficking terminology)

Physical Warning Signs

Unexplained injuries, bruises, or signs of physical abuse
Tattoos or brandings that the child can't or won't explain
Signs of malnourishment, exhaustion, or poor hygiene
Sexually transmitted infections (especially in younger teens)

Digital Warning Signs

Possessing multiple phones or devices you didn't provide
Secret social media accounts or messaging apps
Compulsively deleting messages, browser history, or apps
Receiving unexplained gifts, money, or prepaid credit cards
Being secretive about online activities or becoming agitated when questioned

Situational Warning Signs

Hotel key cards, receipts, or evidence of frequent hotel visits
New, expensive clothing or accessories with no clear source
Being picked up or dropped off by unfamiliar adults
Having no control over their own identification documents

Parent Resources

1. Communication

Open communication – Let your child know of your concern in an age appropriate manner and encourage them to talk to you if they see, hear, or are asked anything that is uncomfortable.

This is a great document to beginning that conversation: https://aoh.sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Caregiver-Tips-Ages-12-18-with-print-file-Bleeds-1.pdf,

If you are looking for an in-depth introduction for yourself combined with tips for speaking to your children about this issue, this document is a great place to start.

One of the most important things you can give your child is the confidence that they can come to you when something goes wrong—without fear of punishment, shame, or rejection. That doesn’t mean ignoring rules or consequences, but it does mean creating a relationship where your child feels safe enough to tell you the truth—even when it’s hard.

Consider using the Student Learning Agreement

View the Student Digital Learning Agreement pdf here

Online Safety

Online predators can initiate contact with a child in as little as 19 seconds That's not an exaggeration. And 63% of traffickers now use online methods to build trust with victims before exploitation begins. The internet hasn't just given traffickers a new tool. It's given them direct, unsupervised access to millions of children.

1. Monitor your child on Social Media A great way to research websites :
CommonSense Medica https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Snapchat alone accounts for 40% of identified grooming offences, according to a 2025 analysis by the U.K.'s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC, 2025).
WhatsApp and Facebook/Instagram each account for another 9%.
The disappearing messages feature on Snapchat makes evidence preservation nearly impossible.

2. Turn off GPS locator, these allow predators to see your child’s location.

3. Consider a Bark Phone or similar product.

Books!

Check out DefendYoungMInds.com and consider using the book “Good Pictures Bad Pictures” by Kristen A Jensen M.A.

Follow Officer Gomez

If you are on social media yourself we highly recommend following the material put out by Officer Gomez:

Facebook
Youtube

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