If You Don't Tell Your Children About Trafficking, A Pimp Will!
Here are some ways you can help your children understand a pimp's tactics:
- A pimp will often single out a girl or boy who appears to be alone, apart from the crowd or without parental support/care;
- A pimp does not typically look like a pimp, but rather like an attractive, fun, engaging and trustworthy person;
- The mall has become one of the most common places for pimps to target pre-teens and teens;
- A pimp will tell your child that he/she is beautiful, smart, unique and (often) misunderstood. A pimp will do everything possible to gain the trust of your child;
- The seduction of your child may take months; but the pimp is patient, considering this as a business investment.
What You As A Parent Can Do
- Check your teens' phone -- know who they are calling, and monitor text messages.
- Monitor your teens' Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts and have their passwords.
- Know the children your kids are hanging out with (and their parents).
- Always have a chaperon with teens while they are at the mall.
- Inform your children and community about the reality of trafficking: it spans every race, gender and neighborhood in America -- including yours.
- Have clear family rules such as: Under no circumstances are your children and teens to approach a stranger's vehicle; and your teens are to hang around age appropriate friends.
- Request your teen's give you their cell phone over night.
- Use this website as an important resource for honest conversations with your children.