
In today’s hyperconnected world, trafficking doesn’t just happen in person—it happens through screens. From gaming platforms and social media to messaging apps and livestreams, traffickers are increasingly leveraging digital spaces to recruit, groom, and exploit youth in covert and evolving ways.
This engaging and eye-opening training unpacks the intersection of technology and human trafficking, with a focus on online recruitment tactics, manipulation methods, and prevention strategies that resonate in both real life and virtual environments. Participants will explore how traffickers build trust, exploit vulnerabilities, and operate in plain sight—often behind a screen name or direct message.
Whether you’re an educator, caregiver, advocate, or community leader, this session will deepen your understanding of trafficking’s digital reach and equip you with practical tools to recognize red flags, intervene early, and prevent online exploitation before it starts.

Training Summary:
In a world where identity can be a risk factor, LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionate vulnerabilities to human trafficking due to systemic discrimination, family rejection, housing insecurity, and limited access to affirming services. This powerful and interactive training explores the intersection of gender identity, sexual orientation, and exploitation, equipping advocates, service providers, and community leaders with the tools to respond with empathy, equity, and impact.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the unique trafficking risks faced by LGBTQ+ youth, learn inclusive best practices for intervention and prevention, and explore how solidarity—not just support—can transform outcomes. Through survivor-informed insights, case-based scenarios, and strength-centered strategies, this training challenges attendees to reimagine what safety, justice, and healing can look like when LGBTQ+ youth are centered, affirmed, and empowered.
Whether you’re on the frontlines of advocacy or seeking to build a more inclusive response network, this session will inspire you to act with intention, ally with compassion, and lead with resilience.

Overview:
This quarterly workgroup focuses on advancing human trafficking education, advocacy, and awareness across Missouri. Each meeting features a representative from a different agency, providing insights on topics such as training, advocacy, and survivor services. The workgroup fosters knowledge sharing, collaboration, and networking, making it an excellent fit for advocates committed to improving outcomes for trafficking survivors and expanding education efforts statewide.
Purpose:
- Stay up to date on committee development.
- Review policies and legislation impacting trafficking survivors.
- Promote awareness of training initiatives and educational efforts.
- Foster a sense of community and collaboration among service providers.
- Guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of Standards of Care through Wave 1, 2, and 3 initiatives.
Presenter:
- TBD
- Virtual Meeting on TEAMS: Register here.