Don't Become a Victim: Thirteen Tips on How to Protect Yourself From Trafficking
- Isabella Boston
- Sep 21, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 20
Hello everyone & welcome to my blog!
Today, I would like to talk to you about human trafficking & thirteen ways you can protect yourself.
I want to start by saying that most sex traffickers get their victims through psychological manipulation, grooming, and deception rather than sudden abduction.
However, I know personally that abduction does occur, and the purpose of this blog is to spread awareness of the issue. I have written a separate blog on "What Sex Trafficking Is — and What It Is Not". I invite you to please read that one as well and share it with your friends and family.
But first, let's start with what human trafficking is.
What is Human Trafficking?
Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and is more prevalent today than ever before. It is a worldwide issue in which an individual is sold repeatedly for sexual exploitation.
Anyone can fall victim to sex trafficking, including men, women, and children. However, certain groups of people are at higher risk and are more vulnerable than others. Those who lack a support network, are homeless, or are runaways are prime targets, as it is easier for a trafficker to deceive, groom, and control their victim.
In addition, Traffickers target vulnerable young people who have low self-esteem and may be looking for love or acceptance.
There are many ways in which a sex trafficker will hunt for their next target, including places such as malls, schools, and social media. They will even search for unsuspecting victims in the grocery store or wait for them in the parking lot.
However, there are certain precautions you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are some basic tips to help you stay safe.
Thirteen Ways to Protect Yourself From Human Trafficking
1. Avoid walking alone ~ When possible, avoid traveling alone and travel in groups. Stay away from secluded and quiet areas, especially at night. Keep something in your hands that can be used as a weapon, such as car keys or mace.
If you find yourself in a compromising situation and have nothing to defend yourself with, look for something: a rock, a stick, or anything that will cause damage. Remember, your life may depend on it.
And don’t be afraid to make lots of noise: Scream, PRAY, and yell for help as you FIGHT!
2. Be aware of your surroundings ~ Always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid texting, browsing social media, or talking on the phone when you are alone in public.
You should be focused on everything around you. Avoid wearing earphones that might prevent you from hearing anyone approaching behind you. And, if you should ever find yourself lost, never appear so. Look confident and seek a safe place to ask for help.
3. Always trust your instincts ~ Your instincts come from the Almighty God in Christ Jesus. If something doesn't feel right, trust that. Do not second-guess yourself or feel foolish. Get to a safe place and call for help.
4. Do not trust people easily ~ Traffickers will approach a victim anywhere and make certain offers such as a modeling opportunity, a singing career, or a promising job. Some will even establish a false friendship with you to gain trust. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
5. Women can also be sex traffickers ~ Don’t trust a stranger just because they are a female. Women are sex traffickers too, and, in my opinion, the worst kind.
As human beings, we tend to be more trusting of women. They remind us of our mothers, sisters, daughters, or friends. Women sex traffickers see this as a weakness and will use this against their victims to trick, deceive, and trap them. It is the ultimate betrayal.
I should, however, note that traffickers will also force their female victims to be recruiters.
6. Be vigilant in parking lots ~ Traffickers will stalk and wait for you in the parking lot. Watch for any suspicious activity, such as a painter’s van in the vicinity. These types of vehicles are large, have no windows, and are the perfect way for a trafficker to abduct their victim.
If a suspicious vehicle is parked near your car, especially if it wasn’t there when you initially parked it, do not go near your car! Go to a safe location and call for help.
Update: These predators are getting more crafty and might use more sophisticated-looking vans, such as a Mercedes or other expensive vehicle, in the hopes of catching their victims off guard. Most people might not think that an abductor is lurking inside a luxury vehicle, so be aware of this type of van as well.
7. Be careful when driving ~ If you believe you are being followed when driving, do not go home. Call 911 and drive to the nearest police department. Give as much information as possible, such as vehicle description (color, make, model), suspect description, and your location. Stay on the phone until help arrives.
8. Use social media wisely ~ Do not post personal information on social media such as your address, phone number, or any other private information. Turn off your location settings and make sure your posts are only visible to your friends and family.
Avoid “checking in” to places on social media, especially while you are at them. Set your privacy settings to “private” and block any unwanted messages from strangers.
Report any suspicious activity to the social media platform you are using. There is usually a “report” button for this.
9. Always meet strangers in a public place ~ Whether it’s a blind date or a business meeting, always meet the person in a public place, and under no circumstances do you ever tell them where you live.
Stay in touch with close friends or family members and update them with your whereabouts and any information you can give about the person you are meeting.
I personally wouldn't agree to meet with anyone I do not know, but some of you might have careers or jobs that require you to meet with clients, so please be careful.
10. Talk to your children ~ Have age-appropriate conversations with your children about sex trafficking. Ask them about any suspicious activities from strangers and teach them how to protect themselves. Learn more here from Deliver Fund. See the tips below from author and sex trafficking survivor Sandy Storm for suggestions on how to speak with your children
How to Talk to Your Kids - Conversation Starters
How much personal information do you think is too much to share on social media?
How do you set safe boundaries when you are in a private message conversation?
What would you say if a stranger approached you and asked to take a picture of you and your friends?
Do any of the girls in your class have much older boyfriends?
What would you think if a good-looking older guy or woman came up to you somewhere and told you that you should be a model?
Do any girls at your school ever talk about getting paid to make online videos or go out on dates?
Crucial Questions
Do you ever chat with people online who you have never met in real life?
Would you ever meet someone in real life that you met online?
What do you think is going too far in texting or a private message conversation?
Are your social media accounts set to private for your protection?
Have you ever heard of someone who was sexting and ended up being threatened or blackmailed?
Have you ever heard of someone going to a party and getting slipped a roofie?
To learn more, please visit www.AuthorSandyStorm.com.
Beware of Romantic Partners ~ Sex traffickers are not always people who abduct others off the street. They can also be a romantic partner or someone you might be interested in.
Red flags to look for include lavish affection and gifts from the beginning of the relationship. These types of predators like to groom their victims through "love bombing" in the early stages. They also demand your constant attention, insisting on spending all their time with you through texts, phone calls, or physical interactions.
They may also make grand declarations of love or act like they have a special connection with you very early in the relationship. They will carefully listen to your problems, studying you to learn your vulnerabilities and then promise to fulfill your needs, such as a desire for a better life, financial stability, or a loving family.
They will also isolate you from your loved ones and friends. This tactic is used to separate you from your support network, allowing them to gain more control over you. Later on in the relationship, the victim is abused to the point of having no self-esteem and is forcibly manipulated into sex acts with the romantic partner, as well as with other people.
Image by Vecteezy.com. When at a Party, Stay With Your Friends ~ I cannot stress this enough. When you attend a party or a get-together with a group of friends or a friend, please stay together. I have seen horror stories where friends "lost sight" of their companions while partying, and sadly, the outcome was tragic.
As a golden rule, "if you go together, you leave together!" Never, ever, leave your friend alone at a party. Look out for one another, even in the restrooms. Stick together!
In addition, never set your drink down unattended. Traffickers and sex predators slip drugs into unsuspecting victims when they are not looking.
This is another reason why it is so very important to stay together. Keeping an eye on one another and being vigilant while also having a good time increases the chances of everyone returning home safely. And, I shouldn't have to say this, but drink responsibly. Whenever possible, pick a designated driver for the night.
And to be fair to everyone, if going out is something you do frequently together, consider rotating the designated driver.
To all the parents out there, please let your children know that no matter the time of night, if they find themselves alone or in a compromising position, they can ALWAYS call you for help, without judgment.
Practice Self-Love ~ Self-love is crucial in protecting yourself against predators. No matter where you are in life, know that you are enough and loved.
God loves you. Jesus loves you. You were made in the image of God and are fearfully made: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made: your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:14).
In fact, Jesus said it is mandatory that we love ourselves before we can love others. It is one of the two greatest commandments of God: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12: 30-31).
If you need help starting to love yourself as God loves you, please watch this video on self-love.
Resources and Help
In conclusion, traffickers will prey on young people and runaways. If you, or someone you know, is having problems at home or is in an abusive situation, please pray FIRST to God for direction and guidance, and He will help you, because He is faithful: "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
To learn more or to get help for yourself or someone else who may be a victim of sex trafficking, please visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline Website.
The phone number is 1-888-373-7888. I do not know this organization personally, so do your research, and, again, pray, BEFORE you call.
Another valuable resource is Helping Survivors. Their website is www.helpingsurvivors.org.
Thank you for your time today on this serious and important issue. Please share this blog with your mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends.
Stay informed, be vigilant, and stay safe!
About the Author
Isabella Boston is a writer and advocate dedicated to raising awareness about human sex trafficking and the importance of protecting those who are vulnerable to exploitation.
Guided by her faith in God through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and a belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every person, she is committed to educating others, encouraging compassion, and supporting efforts that bring hope, healing, and restoration to survivors.
Through her work, Isabella seeks to inspire others to be a voice for justice and a force for positive change.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." - Proverbs 31:8-9.
