into false beliefs or relationships . As technology becomes more advanced , it is becoming harder to know what is real and what isn ’ t , making children vulnerable . Law enforcement tries to stay ahead of the curve by taking advanced technological training and staying up to date on current technology to combat this .”
Traffickers often use social media and video game platforms to target victims . Developments in artificial intelligence allow individuals to make themselves appear younger , older or even a different gender so they can deceive and use manipulation to build a relationship with their target . Prevention resources such as “ The Cool Aunt ” series created by The Foundation United can be helpful for teenagers aged 12 and up . It ’ s an online 1.5 hour , self-paced , engaging video course that discusses the streams of influences that can make people vulnerable , including media .
Thompson says cybercrimes factor into traditional crimes against children . Online exploitation , such as sextortion , can lead to someone being pulled into trafficking . According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children , sextortion is a form of child sexual exploitation where children are threatened or blackmailed , most often with the possibility of sharing with the public nude or sexual images of them , by a person who demands additional sexual content , sexual activity or money from the child .
“ Traffickers engage in online sexual conversations and role-playing to groom victims ,” Thompson says . “ They ask children to send them sexually explicit images . They develop a rapport on social media platforms by liking posts , offering compliments and discussing interests .”
The child or individual involved is placed in a vulnerable position by not knowing who is on the other end of the screen or conversation . Traffickers and sextortion criminal actors are able to talk to multiple people at once and play on different vulnerabilities .
“ It takes place online with the children in our communities . Sexual exploitation of our youth is plaguing the communities in West Virginia ,” Jankowski says .
Human trafficking is such a complex issue that there are multiple definitions of what sexual exploitation is , however , the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention defines commercial sexual exploitation of a child as referring to a range of crimes and activities involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a child for the financial benefit of any person , or in exchange for anything of value given or received by any person . In 2022 , The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children ’ s Cyber- Tipline received more than 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation . Jankowski says hundreds of these cases are being worked every day in West Virginia , with that number increasing .
Despite these modern challenges , hope is not lost . Federal , state and local agencies — including the Department of Homeland Security , FBI , West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force — are focused on these investigations . The task force meets bi-annually and consists of the U . S . attorneys of the southern and northern districts of West Virginia , FBI , WVFC , state police , West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services , Secretary of State ’ s Office , Attorney General ’ s Office , Homeland Security Investigations and other federal , state and local law enforcement officers , service providers , victim associates , educators and representatives .
“ The focus of this task force is aligning the individual agencies to have the greatest collective impact on the state of West Virginia ,” Yount says . “ The task force also focuses on how victims can receive the services they need and deserve after going through something as traumatic as sex trafficking or labor trafficking .”
The state of West Virginia ’ s first statewide human trafficking initiative was launched in September 2023 . The WVFC launched the YOU CAN initiative to offer West Virginians a local reporting line so the information can be relayed to the appropriate federal , state and local authorities for investigation , intervention and action .
“ Human trafficking is significantly underreported , partly due to lack of public awareness . Since its inception in 2007 , the Human Trafficking Hotline has received more than 800 calls , resulting in 550 victims identified in 246 cases in West Virginia . The available data might give the impression human
“ It takes place online with the children in our communities . Sexual exploitation of our youth is plaguing the communities in West Virginia .”
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