Sex Trafficking Happens In Schools

thevaginaliberator
Aug 6
4 min read

Updated: Aug 9

Sexual Assault, Grooming, and Sex Trafficking in High Schools: A Call to Action for School Staff

Sexual violence among high school students is more prevalent than many of us realize—and it doesn't always look like what we expect.

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact or behavior without consent. It’s not always physical force. It can also be emotional or psychological manipulation—especially when an adult grooms a child into believing they are in a consensual relationship. That’s still abuse. That’s still assault.

Who's at Risk?

Teenagers—particularly Black girls—are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys in the U.S. experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Black girls are disproportionately impacted due to a mix of racial bias, underreporting, lack of intervention, and being stereotyped as “fast” instead of protected as children.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that over 40% of sexual violence against teens is committed by someone they know, including trusted adults, older peers, or romantic partners.

This is not just a home or street issue. It’s happening in schools—and it’s going unchecked.

Understanding the Teenage Mindset

To intervene effectively, adults must first understand teens.

High schoolers desire independence. They want to be seen as responsible and mature—but that doesn’t mean they’re equipped to make adult decisions, especially when it comes to sex and relationships. They’re still developing cognitively and emotionally, and they’re deeply impressionable—particularly when their basic needs aren’t being met.

Youth in low-income households, or those experiencing neglect, food insecurity, or homelessness, are especially vulnerable. When someone offers them food, clothes, shoes, hairstyles, or attention, it can feel like safety or love. But often, it’s the beginning of grooming.

Who Are Predators Targeting?

Predators deliberately target children and teens who are:

Living in poverty
Naive or inexperienced
Lacking self-esteem
Experiencing parental neglect
Missing basic necessities (food, shelter, hygiene items)
Living with undiagnosed or diagnosed intellectual disabilities

These factors make students easier to manipulate. And for traffickers, that’s the goal.

What Is Sex Trafficking?

Sex trafficking is defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as “the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of commercial sex act.” Importantly, minors under the age of 18 engaging in commercial sex are always considered victims—regardless of whether force or coercion is present.

There is no such thing as a child prostitute. Children who exchange sex for money, survival needs, or under manipulation are victims of child sex trafficking.

What Does Trafficking Look Like in Schools?

Forget the Hollywood version of trafficking—white vans and foreign countries. In reality, sex trafficking often looks like a high school girl being picked up by an older boyfriend in a car.

It looks like a student:

Who is frequently absent or skips certain periods
Who disappears in the middle of the day and reappears just in time for lunch or dismissal
Who is dropped off or picked up by unfamiliar adults at unsupervised spots near the school
Who starts dressing differently—often in clothes that seem out of place or suggestive
Who shows signs of being under the influence, emotionally withdrawn, or visibly distressed

In far too many cases, school staff write these girls off as "fast," "grown," or "out of control." But what they’re seeing are signs of trauma, grooming, and abuse.

These students aren’t delinquents—they’re victims who need protection.

What Can School Staff Do?

School personnel are often the first and only line of defense. You may be the only adult in that student’s life with the power—and legal obligation—to step in.

Here’s how to intervene:

Monitor attendance patterns: Chronic absences or unexplained disappearances throughout the day are red flags.
Observe changes in behavior or appearance: Look for sudden shifts in demeanor, clothing, or peer groups.
Notice pickup/drop-off routines: Is a student being met by an unknown adult in a car, especially off school grounds? Take note.
Ask questions: “Hey, I noticed you haven’t been in class much—what’s going on?” or “Who is that picking you up every day?”
Document and report suspicions: Keep track of patterns. If the same adult is appearing regularly, coordinate with administration or your school’s resource officer.
Involve authorities when appropriate: In cases of suspected trafficking or abuse, report to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or law enforcement. You are a mandated reporter.

This is especially critical in Title I schools, where students are statistically more vulnerable due to economic conditions.

Final Thoughts

Students—especially high schoolers—are not always equipped to advocate for themselves. They don’t always understand what’s happening to them. They are still kids. Still growing. Still learning. And they need us to show up and speak up.

If you see something, say something.

Intervention can save a life.

Life Outside Of The Game written by Nicole McCall and Tatiana Yoguez is their true story on how 3 teens living in Jacksonville, FL became victims of sex trafficking at the ages of 11, 12, and 13 years. These young ladies were missing for over a month. I recommend everyone who has children in their life to read it. If literature is part of your household, read this book with your middle school to high school aged children and discuss it. This is also a great read for those who work with teens. Click here to check it out!