What comes to your mind when you hear the word child solicitation? Do you often ask yourself these questions ‘’Have I ever been a victim of child solicitation?” How does child solicitation occur? What are the risks of being involved in child solicitation?  First, awareness is the first step in safeguarding children from these threats. By understanding the signs of solicitation and taking proactive steps to prevent it, parents, guardians, educators, and community members can create a safer environment for children to grow and thrive.

Meaning of Child Solicitation

Child solicitation involves an adult or older individual attempting to communicate with a minor to establish a sexual relationship or abuse them. This can occur through various means, such as online platforms, social media, in-person interactions, or other communication methods that facilitate inappropriate contact.  

We will explore the forms that child solicitation can take, how you can identify the signs that a child might be targeted and the prevention strategies that parents and guardians can implement to protect their children.

What are the Forms of Child Solicitation?

Online Grooming

One of the most prevalent forms of child solicitation today is online grooming, I am sure you are familiar with what this means. It involves an adult using the internet to build an indecent relationship with a child with the intention of sexual exploitation. 

These predators often use social media platforms, chat rooms, gaming networks, and other online communities to find and communicate with their targets. They pose as someone you can relate with by building trust in them after all this is a conversation that should not be shared with a third party. Only to engage in explicit sexual activities with the victim. 

In-Person Solicitation  

It involves an adult directly approaching a child with the intent to establish an inappropriate relationship. It can occur in various settings, such as schools, parks, malls, or even within the child’s neighborhood. The predator might engage in seemingly innocent conversation or even buy gifts for you to gain their trust and favor.  The relationship escalates to physical contact which involves abusive sexual activities. 

Recognizing Signs of Child Solicitation

Solicitation can be emotionally and psychologically damaging, therefore, early recognition of solicitation can prevent a predator from further manipulating or exploiting the child. The sooner the signs are identified, the quicker appropriate action can be taken. Some of the visible signs are;

• Change in mood or behavior:  When a child becomes unusually withdrawn, avoiding social interactions with friends and family could indicate something is wrong. They might appear sad, anxious, or depressed without an apparent reason. This behavior could lead to an irregular sleeping pattern, frequent nightmares, and so on. 
• Secretive use of the Internet: One of the ways you could quickly detect if a child is making indecent conversations on the phone is the frequent closing of the screen when someone is approaching. This can be due to messages, emails, or calls with a suspicious contact. 
• Identify suspicious behaviors in the adult: An adult who becomes overly friendly or familiar with a child, especially in a way that bypasses the usual boundaries of adult-child interactions, should be watched closely. 

Preventing Child Solicitation

Motivate your children to come to you with any concerns or uncomfortable situations be it the slightest. Create a judgment-free zone where they feel safe sharing their experiences without fear of punishment. This open dialogue can help you detect potential risks early and address them promptly.

Let them understand the information that should never be shared such as their full name, house address, or even sensitive pictures of themselves. Pornography and other sexual activities can be shared if there are no clear rules regarding screen time and the types of websites and apps they can use. Use parental controls to set limits on their device usage. These tools can help block inappropriate content and monitor their online activities without being overly intrusive.

Taking Legal Measures 

There are many organizations dedicated to supporting victims of child solicitation and their families. These organizations offer various services, including legal assistance, support groups, and educational resources. The attorneys advocate for victims’ rights and can help navigate complex legal and social services systems.

For instance, you can contact organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for guidance and support. They provide resources and can connect you with local services tailored to your needs.

The perpetrator leaves the legal assistants no choice but to be arrested and charged this assures the victim and the family members it all ended well. 

Remember, staying informed and proactive is key to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children. Let’s build a supportive network that values open communication and collective vigilance, providing a secure environment for our kids to grow and thrive.