Adequately Equipping Our Children: The Need for Child-centered, Play-based Approaches to Human Trafficking Prevention

Author: Jones, Stephanie; Ellery, Valerie; Rhodes, Joan & Hull, B. Jane

Abstract: The A21 Primary Prevention Program (PPP) provides child-centered learning opportunities designed to empower children ages 6–12 to protect themselves and others from human trafficking and other risks. This article provides context around the issue of human trafficking and exploitation as a public health issue and outlines the benefits of play-based, interactive approaches for addressing prevention with children. Results of the first phase of a longitudinal research study conducted in Southeast (SE) Asia indicate that program facilitators found experiential, play-based activities beneficial for increasing their knowledge of human trafficking. Based on these results and extant literature the authors recommend the adoption of child-centered, play-based programing by schools and educators outside of SE Asia, to address the growing risks of human trafficking and exploitation to school aged children. This research promotes the empowerment of societies through prevention education, toward a peaceful, just and safe environment, free of exploitation for children and adults (SDGs 8.7 and 16).

Keywords: human trafficking, exploitation, play-based, experiential learning, child-centered, prevention, public health, education, A21