QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Start with a
Start with a
question.
Learn who we help, how reports are handled, what trafficking can look like, how to get involved, and what to do when a child may be in danger.
Someone in immediate danger?
Call 911 or local law enforcement immediately.
Do not wait for a response from Safe Horizons For Children.
01 / ABOUT US
Understanding Safe Horizons
Who we are, who we help, and why this work exists.
Safe Horizons For Children is a nonprofit mission focused
on increasing awareness, visibility, reporting support,
education, advocacy, and community action surrounding
vulnerable, missing, exploited, and trafficked children.
Our goal is simple: children should not disappear into
silence, broken systems, or circumstances where no one
continues asking questions.
Our concern is the child. We may encounter situations
involving missing children, trafficking, exploitation,
grooming, unsafe placements, abuse, unstable environments,
online exploitation, runaway youth, migrant children, or
other circumstances where a child's safety or welfare may
be at risk.
No.
Cases involving migrant and unaccompanied youth are an
important part of our work, particularly when there are
concerns involving trafficking, exploitation, disappearance,
unsafe placement, or a child becoming difficult to locate.
But our mission does not begin or end at the border.
We also care about children facing danger in our own communities and throughout the United States. A child does not have to cross a border for their safety to matter.
But our mission does not begin or end at the border.
We also care about children facing danger in our own communities and throughout the United States. A child does not have to cross a border for their safety to matter.
No. Our focus is child safety. A child's citizenship,
immigration status, place of birth, or manner of arrival
does not determine whether information concerning that
child's safety deserves attention.
No. Safe Horizons For Children is focused on child safety.
Some situations we encounter may intersect with immigration
systems because vulnerable or unaccompanied migrant children
can face unique risks, but immigration policy is not the
purpose of our organization.
No. Safe Horizons For Children is not law enforcement,
911, Child Protective Services, or a government agency.
We can receive information, review concerns, help identify resources and appropriate reporting channels, conduct appropriate research, raise awareness, and communicate relevant information to appropriate organizations or authorities when warranted.
We can receive information, review concerns, help identify resources and appropriate reporting channels, conduct appropriate research, raise awareness, and communicate relevant information to appropriate organizations or authorities when warranted.
We do not believe concern for a child's safety should stop
at a city or state line. Information may involve local
children, children elsewhere in the United States, migrant
youth, or circumstances that cross jurisdictions.
What Safe Horizons can personally do in a particular situation may depend on the location, circumstances, available information, and agencies with jurisdiction.
What Safe Horizons can personally do in a particular situation may depend on the location, circumstances, available information, and agencies with jurisdiction.
02 / TRAFFICKING & EXPLOITATION
Understanding the danger
Trafficking does not always look the way people expect.
Child trafficking involves the exploitation of a child
for the benefit of another person. It can include sexual
exploitation and other forms of exploitation.
Trafficking should not be confused simply with movement or immigration. A child does not become a trafficking victim merely because they crossed a border.
Trafficking should not be confused simply with movement or immigration. A child does not become a trafficking victim merely because they crossed a border.
No. Traffickers can use manipulation, coercion, threats,
dependency, money, housing, affection, promises,
intimidation, grooming, or existing relationships to
exploit a child.
A trafficking situation may look very different from the stranger-abduction scenarios people often imagine.
A trafficking situation may look very different from the stranger-abduction scenarios people often imagine.
No.
A child can be trafficked without ever leaving their city,
state, neighborhood, or even their home.
Safe Horizons pays particular attention to vulnerable migrant and unaccompanied youth, but trafficking and exploitation are also serious local problems.
Safe Horizons pays particular attention to vulnerable migrant and unaccompanied youth, but trafficking and exploitation are also serious local problems.
Children navigating unfamiliar systems may sometimes face
additional vulnerabilities, including isolation, unstable
housing, dependence on adults, language barriers, limited
support networks, or difficulty knowing where to seek help.
Those vulnerabilities can be exploited. Our concern is making sure a child's circumstances do not make them easier to overlook.
Those vulnerabilities can be exploited. Our concern is making sure a child's circumstances do not make them easier to overlook.
Yes. Trafficking can happen in large cities, small towns,
suburbs, rural areas, schools, homes, hotels, workplaces,
and online.
If there is a credible concern involving a child, we want people to speak up regardless of where that child came from.
If there is a credible concern involving a child, we want people to speak up regardless of where that child came from.
Yes. Exploitation does not always involve a stranger.
People who exploit children may be acquaintances,
romantic partners, peers, relatives, caregivers, or
other people who have gained access to or influence
over the child.
Yes. Children of any sex or gender can experience
trafficking and exploitation. Stereotypes about what
a victim "looks like" can cause children to be overlooked.
They can be. A young person without stable housing,
money, transportation, food, or trusted support may become
particularly vulnerable to someone offering those things
in exchange for control or exploitation.
Yes. Social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms,
online communities, and other digital spaces can be used
to contact, groom, manipulate, threaten, or exploit youth.
Concerning online behavior can be reported even if you do not yet know the identity or physical location of the person involved.
Concerning online behavior can be reported even if you do not yet know the identity or physical location of the person involved.
Grooming generally refers to behavior used to build trust,
access, secrecy, dependency, or emotional influence over a
child in preparation for abuse or exploitation.
It may begin with attention, gifts, friendship, affection, opportunities, or seemingly harmless conversations.
It may begin with attention, gifts, friendship, affection, opportunities, or seemingly harmless conversations.
You do not need to determine for yourself whether a
situation legally qualifies as trafficking before sharing
a legitimate concern.
Tell us what you actually observed, what you know firsthand, and what caused you concern. Avoid presenting assumptions or rumors as established facts.
Tell us what you actually observed, what you know firsthand, and what caused you concern. Avoid presenting assumptions or rumors as established facts.
03 / REPORTING
When something doesn't feel right
You do not need to have every answer before speaking up.
We review the information provided and evaluate what may
be appropriate based on the circumstances.
That can include reviewing available information, conducting appropriate research, requesting clarification, identifying relevant resources or reporting channels, contacting appropriate organizations or authorities when warranted, and continuing to monitor information when appropriate.
If you provided contact information, we may reach out if additional details would help us better understand the report.
That can include reviewing available information, conducting appropriate research, requesting clarification, identifying relevant resources or reporting channels, contacting appropriate organizations or authorities when warranted, and continuing to monitor information when appropriate.
If you provided contact information, we may reach out if additional details would help us better understand the report.
No. You do not need to conduct your own investigation or
prove that a crime occurred.
Give us an honest account of what you saw, heard, received, or experienced. Clearly distinguish firsthand information from something you heard from another person.
Give us an honest account of what you saw, heard, received, or experienced. Clearly distinguish firsthand information from something you heard from another person.
Useful details can include names, approximate ages,
locations, dates, timelines, usernames, social profiles,
phone numbers, vehicle descriptions, relationships,
photographs, screenshots, documents, and a clear
explanation of what caused concern.
Do not put yourself in danger to obtain additional information.
Do not put yourself in danger to obtain additional information.
Yes. We do not require you to provide contact information
simply to share a concern.
However, providing at least one way to contact you can be extremely helpful if clarification or additional information is needed later.
However, providing at least one way to contact you can be extremely helpful if clarification or additional information is needed later.
If you provide contact information, we may contact you when
additional context, clarification, or details could help us
evaluate what you submitted.
Being contacted does not necessarily mean a conclusion has been reached about the report.
Being contacted does not necessarily mean a conclusion has been reached about the report.
Yes. If you remember something, obtain another relevant
detail, or discover additional information, you may submit
another report.
When possible, explain that it relates to an earlier submission and provide enough identifying information for us to understand the connection.
When possible, explain that it relates to an earlier submission and provide enough identifying information for us to understand the connection.
No. Do not put yourself or a child at additional risk.
Do not confront a suspected trafficker, trespass, impersonate
another person, attempt a rescue yourself, or obtain
information illegally.
Preserve what you already have and report the concern through appropriate channels.
Preserve what you already have and report the concern through appropriate channels.
A good-faith concern is different from intentionally making
a false accusation.
Report what you genuinely know or observed and avoid exaggeration. It is our job to treat information as information—not automatically as proof that an allegation is true.
Report what you genuinely know or observed and avoid exaggeration. It is our job to treat information as information—not automatically as proof that an allegation is true.
Yes. Older information may still be relevant, particularly
when it concerns ongoing exploitation, a missing child,
repeated behavior, or information that could connect to
another concern.
No.
Safe Horizons For Children is not a law-enforcement agency.
Submitting information to us does not replace contacting
police, emergency services, child protective authorities,
or another official reporting agency when appropriate.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's
CyberTipline is the U.S. centralized reporting system for
suspected online child sexual exploitation.
You can also contact NCMEC regarding a missing or exploited child at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
You can also contact NCMEC regarding a missing or exploited child at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
04 / MISSING CHILDREN
When a child is missing
Time matters. Know where Safe Horizons fits into the process.
Contact local law enforcement immediately.
You can also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
You may share information with Safe Horizons as an additional resource, but contacting us should not delay an official missing-person report.
You can also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
You may share information with Safe Horizons as an additional resource, but contacting us should not delay an official missing-person report.
No. Safe Horizons cannot issue an AMBER Alert.
Those alerts are issued through authorized law-enforcement
and state systems when established criteria are met.
No. Official missing-person reports and classifications
are handled by law enforcement and appropriate government
systems.
Safe Horizons can help increase visibility, receive information, identify resources, and support appropriate awareness efforts.
Safe Horizons can help increase visibility, receive information, identify resources, and support appropriate awareness efforts.
A child leaving voluntarily does not automatically mean
the child is safe.
Runaway and unstably housed youth can face exploitation, trafficking, violence, coercion, and other serious risks. Their safety still matters.
Runaway and unstably housed youth can face exploitation, trafficking, violence, coercion, and other serious risks. Their safety still matters.
Yes. If you believe you have located a child who has been
officially reported missing, contact the appropriate
law-enforcement agency or NCMEC.
Do not place yourself or the child in danger trying to confront another person.
Do not place yourself or the child in danger trying to confront another person.
05 / PRIVACY & SAFETY
Protecting information
Reporting responsibly also means protecting people and evidence.
We treat sensitive reports carefully and do not publish
personal report information simply because it was submitted.
However, we cannot promise absolute confidentiality in every circumstance. Information may need to be shared with appropriate authorities, organizations, or professionals when necessary to address a serious child-safety concern or when otherwise required by law.
However, we cannot promise absolute confidentiality in every circumstance. Information may need to be shared with appropriate authorities, organizations, or professionals when necessary to address a serious child-safety concern or when otherwise required by law.
You may submit information without voluntarily providing
your name or contact information, but no internet-based
reporting system should promise absolute technical
anonymity in every circumstance.
If remaining unidentified is important to your safety, consider what information you include and use an appropriate official reporting channel when necessary.
If remaining unidentified is important to your safety, consider what information you include and use an appropriate official reporting channel when necessary.
No.
Do not download, copy, forward, email, or upload suspected
child sexual abuse material simply to show it to us.
Suspected online child sexual exploitation should be reported through appropriate law-enforcement channels and NCMEC's CyberTipline.
Suspected online child sexual exploitation should be reported through appropriate law-enforcement channels and NCMEC's CyberTipline.
Non-illegal supporting material can include screenshots
of conversations, usernames, public profiles, photographs,
documents, dates, locations, vehicle information, or other
information already lawfully available to you.
Never create additional risk just to collect evidence.
Never create additional risk just to collect evidence.
Your safety comes first. If you believe your device or
internet activity is being monitored, consider using a
safer device or speaking directly with an appropriate
trusted professional, hotline, or law-enforcement agency.
Do not take actions that could increase immediate danger.
Do not take actions that could increase immediate danger.
06 / OUR ROLE
What we can—and cannot—do
Clear expectations matter when a child's safety is involved.
Depending on the circumstances and information available,
we may review and organize information, conduct appropriate
research, seek clarification, identify resources or
reporting channels, communicate relevant information to
appropriate authorities or organizations, support awareness,
and continue monitoring information when appropriate.
Every situation is different, and no particular outcome can be guaranteed.
Every situation is different, and no particular outcome can be guaranteed.
When appropriate, information may need to be directed to
organizations or authorities that have the jurisdiction,
legal authority, specialized resources, or expertise to
respond.
Our role is not to replace those agencies.
Our role is not to replace those agencies.
No. We are not law enforcement and have no arrest authority.
No. Decisions involving emergency removal, custody,
protective placement, or similar legal intervention belong
to authorities with the legal power to make those decisions.
No. Safe Horizons cannot control or guarantee the response
of an independent law-enforcement agency, government
department, court, or other organization.
You absolutely should contact the appropriate authority
directly when the circumstances require it.
Safe Horizons provides another place for concerns to be heard, helps people identify resources and reporting pathways, works to keep vulnerable children visible, supports awareness and prevention, and can help connect information with people and organizations positioned to act.
Safe Horizons provides another place for concerns to be heard, helps people identify resources and reporting pathways, works to keep vulnerable children visible, supports awareness and prevention, and can help connect information with people and organizations positioned to act.
We may not always be able to provide updates or disclose
what happened after information was submitted.
Child privacy, safety, ongoing investigations, information received from third parties, and legal restrictions can limit what can appropriately be shared.
Child privacy, safety, ongoing investigations, information received from third parties, and legal restrictions can limit what can appropriately be shared.
07 / GET INVOLVED
Help us do more
Protecting children requires more than one organization.
Yes. Volunteer opportunities can vary depending on our
current needs, your skills, location, and the type of
work involved.
Visit our Volunteer & Community Action page →
Visit our Volunteer & Community Action page →
Some forms of support may be possible remotely, including
awareness, outreach, professional skills, research support,
communications, fundraising, and other mission needs.
Yes. Community organizations can play an important role
in education, awareness, prevention, resources, referrals,
outreach, professional expertise, and financial support.
Learn about partnering with Safe Horizons →
Learn about partnering with Safe Horizons →
Volunteer access and responsibilities depend on the
specific role. Work involving sensitive information,
vulnerable populations, or direct interaction may require
additional screening, training, supervision, or restrictions.
Useful skills can include outreach, education, technology,
research, communications, design, fundraising, legal and
professional expertise, community networking, administration,
and other specialized experience.
08 / DONATIONS & TRANSPARENCY
Supporting the mission
Understand what your support helps make possible.
Donations help support awareness, education, reporting
infrastructure, technology, outreach, volunteer coordination,
community partnerships, research, communications, and the
operational tools required to carry out the mission.
Yes. Recurring support helps provide more predictable
resources for ongoing awareness, outreach, technology,
education, and mission operations.
Visit our donation page →
Visit our donation page →
Yes. Businesses and organizations may be able to support
Safe Horizons through donations, sponsorships, services,
outreach, resources, or mission partnerships.
Explore partnership opportunities →
Explore partnership opportunities →
We believe organizations asking for the public's trust
should be willing to explain how they operate.
Visit Transparency & Standards →
Visit Transparency & Standards →
We encourage donors, partners, and members of the public
to ask questions, review our published information,
understand our mission, and review our Transparency &
Standards information before supporting the organization.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Ask us.
We would rather receive a question than have someone walk away because they weren't sure where to start.
A child may be local. They may have crossed a border. They may be missing, exploited online, living in an unsafe environment, or caught in circumstances that are difficult to understand.
Our concern is the child.