This January 11, for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Our Rescue hosted a free webinar titled “The Digital White Van,” with experts from DHS’s Blue Campaign, Know2Protect, Yahoo Security Engineers, SEARCH and Our Rescue, including a survivor of sex trafficking. January 11th reminds us that human trafficking is not just something that happens in far-away places, but it’s a real crime happening here at home, in online spaces, and in ways that are often invisible.
Predators use the devices that kids carry every day, including smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and laptops to reach, groom, and exploit them. Traffickers no longer need to wait outside; they connect through social media, messaging apps, and gaming platforms to build trust, manipulate, and exploit children. This threat is constant, hidden in plain sight, and growing faster than many realize.
The numbers show why action is urgent. According to Thorn research, 1 in 3 minors aged 9-17 reported they have had a sexual interaction online. Just six months into 2025, 518,720 reports of online enticement were made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and many kids are exposed at very young ages.
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is the perfect moment to confront these threats and take action. Our webinar gave parents, caregivers, and community members the tools to spot warning signs, set boundaries, and have honest conversations with children about staying safe online. Participants were equipped with practical strategies and clear next steps for protecting kids in an always-connected world.
The digital white van is every place where kids are online, but adults who understand the threat and take action can make a real difference. Right now, watch the webinar recording to learn from experts and survivors, understand the risks, and get the tools to protect children in today’s digital world.
Donate today to help us keep kids safe.
Special thank you to our partners for “The White Van Webinar” including:
>> Erica Reid at the Blue Campaign, Senior Engagement Manager and Acting Chief at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking, Blue Campaign Office
https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign
>> Tracy Owusu at Know2Protect, Forensic Interview Specialist with Homeland Security Investigations in Washington
>> Haley Hawkins and Jenna Simpson at Yahoo, Security Engineers
>> Eric Jollymore at SEARCH, Assistant Director – Digital Forensic Services
