Preventing Human Trafficking
Stopping human trafficking starts with awareness and action. By learning to recognize the warning signs of trafficking, advocating for survivors, and supporting programs that provide safety, shelter, and healing, you can help protect vulnerable young people from exploitation.
Warning Signs a Youth Is Being Trafficked
One of the most effective ways to help prevent trafficking is to recognize the warning signs that a young person may be experiencing exploitation or control by a trafficker. Youth who exhibit some combination of the signs below may already be entrenched in trafficking:
- Appear unusually fearful, anxious, or irritable.
- Have sexualized content on their social media profiles.
- Show signs of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse.
- Possess a second cell phone that they might be reluctant to discuss.
- Show signs of poor health, neglect, and/or declining personal hygiene.
- Are often unable or not allowed to speak for themselves.
- Show signs of exhaustion and/or addiction.
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Have few or no personal possessions or limited control over their possessions.
If you notice someone is exhibiting a few or more of these signs, get help now
Ways You Can Help Prevent Human Trafficking
Here are 4 meaningful ways you can make a difference for trafficked youth and survivors:
Advocate for Trafficked Youth
We work with Congress to support legislation that strengthens services for trafficking survivors, expands prevention efforts, funds critical research, and helps protect vulnerable young people from exploitation.
Encourage your elected officials to prioritize anti-human trafficking legislation and policies today.
Donate to Provide Survivors with Care
A gift today helps trafficking survivors access safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, medical care, and other essential services. Your support also strengthens Covenant House's efforts to prevent exploitation and provide comprehensive care for young people in need.
Learn the Facts
Education is an important part of prevention. By understanding how trafficking occurs, who is most vulnerable, and the warning signs of exploitation, you can help raise awareness and support efforts to keep young people safe.
Stay Informed: Sign Up for Alerts
Join our mobile list to receive important updates, advocacy opportunities, and actions you can take to help support unhoused youth and trafficking survivors.
How Covenant House Prevents Trafficking and Supports Survivors
With over 50 years supporting young people experiencing homelessness, Covenant House is a leader in meeting youth at the intersection of homelessness and human trafficking as we advance our bold vision to end youth homelessness as we know it. With support from our donors and community, we help survivors reclaim and rebuild their lives, and we work to make societies safer for youth by providing:
Direct Support
We help trafficking survivors meet immediate needs such as safe shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and mental health support. Our trauma-informed approach recognizes the unique challenges survivors face and provides the resources needed for healing and recovery.
Advocacy
We partner with local, national, and international organizations to advance policies that strengthen protections for children and young people, improve services for survivors, and support long-term prevention efforts.
Research
Our research exposes the toll human trafficking has on children and youth, informs public policy, strengthens prevention strategies, and improves the care and support we provide to survivors.
Help Protect Youth from Human Trafficking
Your support ensures that young survivors at Covenant House will receive the care, housing, and resources they need to heal and thrive.
Get Help Now
If you or a young person you know needs help, here’s what to do.
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
- Call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988 if you are in emotional distress.
Call or come into the nearest Covenant House, where you will find safety, services, and support at no cost. Covenant House has locations in 34 cities across five countries. We are here to help, not to judge.
