According to federal law, any minor under the age of 18 engaging in commercial sex is a victim of sex trafficking, regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion. "Commercial sex" is defined as any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person. The sex act can be for money, food, shelter, drugs or alcohol, or safety.
All adults should learn the signs and risk factors of child sex trafficking.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. If you suspect someone may be experiencing trafficking, report it.
Most teens are not choosing to engage in these behaviors. What might look like a personal choice is most often not. In most cases, it is for survival. Many youth who are being trafficked do not see themselves as victims. They may not realize they are being trafficked.
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WI Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Indicator and Response Guide
Review the indicators in this guide and follow the directions for the appropriate response. This indicator and response guide also alerts the reader to indicators or potential red flags that should continue to be monitored.
You can download a PDF of the Wisconsin Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Indicator and Response Guide and a list of places to report suspected trafficking by County and Tribe.
- Travel out of the area/to somewhere out of the ordinary or unusual for the child without caregiver permission and/or knowledge
- Child has a history of school truancy
- Child has a history of physical or sexual abuse
- Child has family/friends who have been or are currently involved in the commercial sex industry (e.g., sex worker, exotic dancing, pornography)
- Reports by child or adults that the child has a history of multiple sexual partners (known or unknown)
- Child has possession of money, electronics, or other material items that are unexplained, unusual, or out of the ordinary for that child (e.g., nails, hair, clothing, shoes)
- Child has sexually explicit pictures of themselves that may or may not be on the internet
- Child has an older boyfriend/girlfriend/partner, or is unwilling to provide information about the sex partner
- Child has a history of sexually transmitted infections and/or pregnancies
- Gang affiliation is reported, confirmed, or suspected
Fewer than 3 At-Risk items selected AND no High Risk or Confirmed items selected:
Continue to MONITOR the child. REFER to the DCF Anti-Human Trafficking website or the DOJ Human Trafficking website for more information.
- Three or more of the “At - Risk” factors have been checked
- Child has a history of being missing/runaway/kicked out 2 or more times within the last 6 months (caregiver doesn’t know where/who child is with)
- Confirmed or reported use of hotels for parties or sexual encounters
- Child has unexplained injuries
- Child has unusual, unexplained, or out of the ordinary tattoos
3 or more At-Risk items selected or 1 or more High Risk items selected or 1 or more Confirmed items selected:
REPORT to the local Child Protective Services Agency or Local Law Enforcement. The agency will determine next steps. You can find contact information for the local agency at: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportabuse
- Child reported “consensual” participation in a sexual act in exchange for food, shelter, transportation, drugs, alcohol, money, status, or other items of value
- Child reported being forced or coerced into sexual activity for the monetary benefit of another person
- Law enforcement confirmed through an investigation that the child has been trafficked or engaged in any commercial, sexuallyexploitative activity
3 or more At-Risk items selected or 1 or more High Risk items selected or 1 or more Confirmed items selected:
REPORT to the local Child Protective Services Agency or Local Law Enforcement. The agency will determine next steps. You can find contact information for the local agency at: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportabuse