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7 Tips for Talking with Youth about Vulnerabilities

Would your youth feel comfortable coming to you if something happened to them?

Check out these tips for talking with your youth:

1. Try to be non-judgmental when listening to your youth.

2. Pay attention to your body, and try to reflect understanding and empathy through your body language as well as your words.

3. Name the behavior rather than labeling the youth. For example, a youth is not “stupid” because they made a choice to do something that was risky (e.g., run away, get in a car with someone who was drunk). And even risky behaviors don't mean that a youth deserves to be victimized or is at fault for what happened to them.

4. Don't make promises you can't keep. No one can promise that a youth will never again experience hurt or violence. Making these promises might help you feel better but they can set up unrealistic expectations for the youth that can cause harm later on.

5. Remember language matters. There is no such thing as a child “pr*stitute.” That child is a victim of human trafficking.

6. If you worry a youth has been harmed, call a local service provider or . It's not your job to investigate what happened.

7. Lastly, if a youth asks you a question and you don't know the answer, it's okay to tell them you need to do some research or talk to someone and get back to them. Don't feel like you need to have all of the answers.

 

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original location.

ABOUT

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.

 

EYES ON TRAFFICKING

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.

ABOUT PBJ LEARNING

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.