Child Protect Shares Tips to Protect Kids During Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Montgomery nonprofit educates families on recognizing and preventing child trafficking in the River Region.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:39pm

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January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Child Protect, a Montgomery-based child advocacy group, is working to educate families about the warning signs of human trafficking and how to protect children. The organization emphasizes that trafficking often looks different from what many people imagine, with traffickers using manipulation tactics known as "grooming techniques" to target children. Child Protect recommends that parents remain aware of who their children are communicating with and watch for any deviations from normal behavior, such as accepting extravagant gifts or money from peers or trusted adults.

Why it matters

Human trafficking is a major crisis affecting millions of people worldwide, including in the River Region of Alabama. By educating families on the warning signs and prevention strategies, Child Protect aims to empower parents and protect children from falling victim to this devastating crime.

The details

According to the US Department of State, more than 27.6 million people are subjected to human trafficking globally. In Alabama, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 927 cases of human trafficking, with nearly 2,000 victims identified. Traffickers often use manipulation tactics known as "grooming techniques" to target children, such as offering extravagant gifts, money, or promises of trips. Child Protect recommends that parents watch for warning signs, including changes in a child's normal behavior or communication with unfamiliar individuals.

  • January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
  • Since its creation in 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 927 cases of human trafficking in Alabama.

The players

Child Protect

A Montgomery-based child advocacy group working to educate families about recognizing and preventing human trafficking.

Kristen Roy

The executive director of Child Protect.

US Department of State

The government agency that reports more than 27.6 million people are subjected to human trafficking globally.

National Human Trafficking Hotline

The hotline that has identified 927 cases of human trafficking in Alabama since its creation in 2007.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, it is something that you do see everywhere. It's not necessarily the white van pulling up and snatching kids off of the street all of the time. It looks like our peers recruiting adolescents and kids into a lifestyle that's not the best for them and could end up being a trafficking situation.”

— Kristen Roy, Executive Director, Child Protect

“We call these grooming techniques. Accepting extravagant gifts, giving money, promising extravagant trips, or things like that. That could be from peers trying to introduce them to traffickers or things in this arena, or it could be people that they know, like a coach, a youth minister, or a teacher. Unfortunately, more often times than not, it's somebody that the children know.”

— Kristen Roy, Executive Director, Child Protect

What’s next

If you suspect your child may be a victim of trafficking, call 911 immediately.

The takeaway

By educating families on the warning signs and prevention strategies, Child Protect aims to empower parents and protect children from falling victim to the devastating crime of human trafficking in the River Region.