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Becoming a Kid Defender
Dear Grown Ups,
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Open communication between adults and kids is soooooooo important. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, or neighbor, creating a safe, judgement-free place for the kids in your life to talk and be honest is key. Please don’t be afraid to ask us personal questions and talk about hard topics. We want you to pay attention to us, prepare us for the real issues we will face in life and do everything in your power to protect us!
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Sincerely, The Kid’s Defense Team.
The 3 P’s To Becoming a “Kid Defender”
Pay Attention
Have you noticed any of these signs in the kids around you? These are some signs kids may exhibit when they are victims of sexual abuse/sex trafficking:
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Changes in behavior including fear, anxiety, depression, withdrawal, and anger
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Afraid or nervous around certain people
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Sleep problems, including nightmares and insomnia
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Changes in eating habits
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Changes in attitude towards school or academic performance
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Loss of interest in friends, sports, or other activities
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Sudden interest in sexual pictures, movies, media
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Low self-esteem
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Unwillingness to share who purchased them new clothes, shoes, jewelry, phones, etc.
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Inconsistencies when describing and recounting events.
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Sexually explicit profiles on social networking sites.
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Owning a Prepaid cell phone
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Avoiding the abuser—the child may dislike or seem afraid of a particular person and try to avoid spending time alone with them.
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Possession of Hotel keys and key cards and/or Prepaid cell phone
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Sudden interest and use of drugs and alcohol
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Attempt to run away or elope
Prepare
The best way to prepare kids to overcome social evils all around is to educate us! Knowledge is power! Here are some resources you can use to educate the kids in your life about sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and other social evils: Kids Defense Training Force.
Protect
If you suspect any form of child abuse is happening to a kid, please don’t talk yourself out of reporting it! Even if you are unsure, The National Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7 and National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) is available to answer your questions and give you knowledge and resources to protect the kids in your life. Report all suspicion of sexual abuse/sex trafficking by calling 911 AND your local Child Protection Services.