Bulletin Announcement

Child Protection 1-11-2026

01/11/2026

Child Protection and Creating Safe Environments – January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In 2024, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received over 27,800 reports of possible child sex trafficking. The average age of child sex trafficking victims is 15 years old. Child sex trafficking is child abuse. It occurs when a minor is advertised, solicited, or exploited through a commercial sex act-where sex is exchanged for money, food, shelter, drugs, or anything of value. Traffickers can be family members (even parents), friends, gangs, foster parents, trusted adults or boyfriends. Talk openly with your child about this reality and build resiliency. Address myths that glamorize the commercial sex industry. Warn about online risks: social media and gaming platforms are used by traffickers to target, groom, and recruit victims. Prepare your child: at some point they will likely encounter inappropriate messages or harmful content online. Teach them how to respond safely. Report suspected child sex trafficking by calling 1-800-843-5678 or visit CyberTipline.org. For additional resources visit  www.eriercd.org/childprotection/