As the U.S. anti-trafficking movement has grown in our understanding of this diverse and complex crime, we are learning more about how specific people, such as medical professionals, teachers, truck drivers, and restaurant personnel, in addition to friends and family members, can help identify and report possible trafficking. Anyone can experience trafficking in any community, just as anyone can be the victim of any kind of crime. Generational trauma, historic oppression, discrimination, and other societal factors and inequities create community-wide vulnerabilities. Traffickers recognize and take advantage of people who are vulnerable.
#EndHumanTrafficking
Nebraska Statistics
Human trafficking happens everywhere - even in Nebraska
Prevention
During the Summer
Technology is part of how students learn, connect, play, create, and communicate. Online spaces can help young people build friendships, explore interests, and stay connected. They can also be used by others to pressure, threaten, manipulate, harass, or exploit.
The ESU2 Prevention Task Force provides resources to help students, families, educators, and communities recognize concerns, respond safely, and connect with trusted support.
Online safety is not about fear. It is about connection, preparation, and knowing what to do when something feels wrong.
Who We Are
Start With Connection
Try asking questions during ordinary moments, such as:
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In the car
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At dinner
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While watching a show together
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After school
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While talking about games, apps, or group chats
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Before a sleepover, school break, or summer vacation
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When your child gets a new device or downloads a new app
Car Ride Convos
Car rides can be a great time to talk because there is less pressure to make eye contact. Try keeping the conversation casual and curious, like:
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What apps or games are most popular at school right now?
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What makes an online friend feel like a real friend?
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Have you ever seen someone get pressured in a group chat?
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What would you do if someone made a fake account pretending to be someone else?
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What would you do if a friend said someone online was threatening them?
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Do people your age use AI tools? What do they use them for?
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Have you seen AI images, fake voices, or edited videos that looked real?
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What would make it easier to tell an adult if something weird happened online?
Dinner Discussions
Dinner conversations do not need to be formal. One good question can open the door. Here are some examples.
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What is something adults misunderstand about online life?
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What is a green flag in an online friendship?
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What is a red flag?
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How do people know if someone online is really who they say they are?
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What should someone do if they receive a message that makes them uncomfortable?
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What should someone do if they are embarrassed or afraid they will get in trouble?
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How can friends help friends stay safe online?
For Parents + Guardians: No Shame. Get Help.
Young people may avoid asking for help because they are afraid of getting in trouble, losing their phone, being blamed, disappointing adults, or making the situation worse.
Start with:
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"I'm really glad you told me."
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"You are not in trouble for asking for help."
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"We are going to slow down and figure this out together."
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"You do not have to respond to this person."
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"We will get help and make a plan."
Resources
For teachers, parents, and teens
Teen Resources
988 Lifeline
Free and confidential call, text, or chat available 24/7 for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or if you just need someone to talk to. You are not alone.
The Trevor Project
Free, confidential, and secure 24/7 - call, text or chat with a crisis counselor for LGBTQ+ young people struggling with issues like coming out, identity, depression, suicide, and more.
Nebraska Human Trafficking Hotline
If you suspect human trafficking is happening, the Nebraska Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached 24/7 and 833-PLS-LOOK (833-757-5665)
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 free and confidential help, reporting, services, and resources - Call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733
Parent Resources
988 Lifeline
Free and confidential call, text, or chat available 24/7 for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or if you just need someone to talk to. You are not alone.
THORN
Kids today face a very different set of challenges. There’s a whole new landscape where a child’s relationship with technology and normal sexual development overlap, with a whole new set of experiences online – and they need your help to navigate it safely.
3Strands Global Foundation
3Strands developed the PROTECT Training Program, and we have partnered with them to bring prevention education to our schools.
Nebraska Human Trafficking Hotline
If you suspect human trafficking is happening, the Nebraska Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached 24/7 and 833-PLS-LOOK (833-757-5665)
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 free and confidential help, reporting, services, and resources - Call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733
Take It Down
‘Take It Down’ is a free resource offered by The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). They can assist in stopping the online sharing of nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken of you when you were under 18 years old.
Prevention Education Training
Empower yourself with the knowledge and tools to protect and support youth in your community.
Training Overview:
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Human Trafficking 101: Identifying the Signs
Learn to recognize the warning signs of human trafficking and understand its impact on victims. -
Human Trafficking 102: Effective Responses
Equip yourself with strategies for responding to suspected trafficking situations with sensitivity and care. -
Human Trafficking 103: Reporting & Prevention
Understand how to safely report trafficking incidents and contribute to long-term prevention efforts.
Why Should You Attend?
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Gain tools to protect youth and create a safer environment
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Learn to respond to trafficking in a culturally sensitive manner
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Understand how to communicate concerns effectively
By attending, you’ll be better equipped to make a meaningful difference in the fight against human trafficking and support at-risk youth in your area.
There are currently no scheduled trainings. To show interest in upcoming trainings, and to be notified when they are scheduled, click below.
AI is Now Part of Online Safety
Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of many tools students already use, including search engines, homework tools, photo editors, social media apps, chatbots, gaming features, music tools, video platforms, and messaging spaces.
Generative AI can create or edit text, images, video, audio, and other content based on prompts. NNCMEC warns that generative AI is being used to sexually exploit children, including through the creation of AI generated child sexual abuse material and fake nude or sexually explicit images. Thorn has also joined child safety organizations calling attention to the harm caused by "nudifying" tools that generate fake nude images.
AI Can Be Helpful
It can support creativity, learning, accessibility, brainstorming, translation, writing support, and problem-solving.
However, students (and adults) also need guidance on how to use AI safely and responsibly.
Technology-Facilitated Abuse
Catfishing
Someone pretends to be another person online. This could be a fake peer, fake romantic interest, fake gaming friend, or fake social media account.
Harassment or Cyberbullying
Repeated unwanted messages, threats, humiliation, impersonation, exclusion, or coordinated attacks
Child Sexual Abuse Material
Sexual images or videos involving minors are child sexual abuse material. This includes real images and may also include AI-generated or manipulated sexual images involving children.
Human Trafficking or Exploitation
Someone uses force, fraud, or coercion, threats, manipulation, money, gifts, housing, transportation, or emotional control to exploit a person for labor or commercial sex.
Deepfake or AI-G Image Abuse
Someone creates, edits, threatens to share, or spreads a real or fake image to embarrass, threaten, control, or exploit another person.
Sextortion
Someone threatens to share a private or sexual image unless a young person sends money, more images, or continues communicating. Thorn defines sextortion as a situation where someone threatens to expose a sexual image to make another person do something they do not want to do.
Grooming
Someone builds trust over time through compliments, attention, gifts, secrecy, emotional support, or shared interests in order to manipulate or exploit a young person. Tactics can involve shared interests like music, games, or celebrities, and may include flattery, connection, or support.
Stalking or Location-Based Abuse
Using location sharing, repeated messages, fake accounts, tracking tools, or monitoring behaviors to follow or control someone.
Resources to Help
Tech Safety Resources
For technology safety resources, visit TechSafety.
