The Struggle of Going Back to School for Victims of Family-Controlled Human Trafficking
For victims of family-controlled human trafficking, the end of summer is not a time of excitement or relief, but a terrifying reminder that everything will change again. As September approaches, so does the suffocating weight of secrecy.
One survivor shares:
"The end of summer was a terrifying time. The message of ‘NEVER TELL’ and ‘never let it show’ were literally seared into my mind and body as September creeped closer. It was long summer days of traffickers and buyers having full access to do whatever they wanted to me. My body screamed every day with pain and memories of this abuse. School was a relief, but there was no space to be relieved because I couldn’t let it show. I couldn’t let it slip. I had to be what everyone expected me to be, or they'd kill me. But there was relief in the hours away from them, in the way they’d have to be more careful so that no one found out.”
This heartbreaking reality reflects the truth that going back to school is anything but simple for children caught in the web of family-controlled human trafficking. While school should be a safe place, it becomes a tightrope walk of survival—where pretending to be “normal” is essential, but the pressure to hide the truth is overwhelming.
For those trapped in this cycle, school offers a brief respite. It provides hours away from the traffickers, a fleeting moment of freedom. But even in this space meant for learning and growing, they live in constant fear. Every day, masking the pain, the fear, THE TRUTH—because letting anyone know could have deadly consequences.
It is crucial for all of us—school staff, volunteers, parents, medical professionals, and even fellow students—to be vigilant and aware. It’s easy to think that trafficking happens elsewhere, to someone else. We may tell ourselves, “That couldn’t be happening here, not in our suburban town, not in our school.” But the truth is, human trafficking exists in every community, often hiding in plain sight.
As summer winds down and the new school year begins, let’s commit to being the ones who notice when something is wrong. If a child seems “off” or withdrawn, let’s not ignore it. Let’s ask questions, listen without judgment, and, most importantly, act. Being aware is the first step in breaking the silence that surrounds trafficking.
Together, we can make sure that children who are suffering in silence don’t have to continue hiding. If we all commit to being vigilant, we can save lives. We can be the difference that helps a child escape the nightmare.
How You Can Help:
Stay educated on the signs of human trafficking, especially in suburban and rural communities.
Be observant of changes in a child’s behavior or appearance.
Reach out for help if you suspect human trafficking is taking place
Every child deserves to feel safe, to be seen, and to have the chance to thrive. Let’s make that a reality for the children who are still trapped in the nightmare of family-controlled trafficking.