Grooming/Human trafficking

Published

Specializes in CPN.

**Please don't post to Facebook**

I had a student (14yof) tell me about a "professional" relationship she had initiated with a "record label/music producer/manager." She found this guy cold calling any labels she could find numbers for about 2 months ago. She is one of my ff and had briefly mentioned this awhile back, and at the time I thought, "oh, I hope this girl and her family aren't going to be scammed into giving this guy lots of money."

Well, recently, she told me more about the situation and some things that had been weirding her out about it. She had been arguing with her mom, because she felt like mom wasn't supporting her dreams, etc. This guy was saying he would send her a bus ticket for Las Vegas and help her get emancipated, that she would be rich and he would have her star in a reality show, etc. He also started making inappropriate comments such as saying her lips were "kissable," calling her "baby" or "baby girl," and asking if she would be interested in dating an older man. (He had told her he was 30 something, but a little google searching reveals this guy is likely in his 40s).

Anyway, I made a report to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and spoke with a rep there. She had said that she would pass the report along to the local law enforcement since it involved a minor. I also spoke with this student at length about the dangers of this situation and spoke to her mom (who works at a jail and is well aware of all the creeps out there - and had been telling her daughter not to call/contact people she doesn't know, etc.). I'm planning to follow up with this student this week to see if she has still been in contact with this guy.

So here is my question... As I don't have an actual suspicion of abuse or reason to believe she is in any immediate danger, I didn't feel comfortable including this student's name in the report. The student didn't feel comfortable giving her name either. I did encourage mom to call and make her own report and gave her the case number. What would you do in this situation? Would you include a minor's name when nothing outright illegal had been done? No pictures or videos were exchanged, per the student. No actual face to face contact had occurred. I did agree to talk with law enforcement if they wanted to contact me. I suppose at that point I could give them the name of the student and parent if they wanted more info. Anyway, although I've had plenty of experience submitting CPS reports for students, this was my first situation like this, and I was a little unsure on my legal responsibility here.

Thoughts?

ETA: I also notified the school counselors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First, kudos to you for taking the steps you already have! I'm glad this student and her mom have you there!!

Second, I have no experience whatsoever in this kind of situation so I cannot offer any advice. But I would LOVE to see what some of the seasoned school nurses here have to say regarding this topic. I feel like, while I hope I never have to use, I at least want some info on what to do should I NEED to!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NCSN.

I would have given her name just because 14 year olds are so impulsive by nature I would be scared that if she has another fight with her mother (which at 14 years old may be more of a when not an if) that might push her into actually leaving with this strange man.

I think it is awesome that you have such a strong relationship with this little one for her to open up and tell you about all of this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

*applauds*

I'm really proud of how you handled this whole thing. No idea what advice to give but WOW!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

With a suspicion of abuse or neglect, you file a report whether you can prove abuse or neglect. This is a little different but not really. Hackles are definitely up. If the student wants to remain anonymous, I'd respect that at this time if only because nothing physical happened.

With the parent....I think I'd push on that. Parent absolutely has to take action. Because it's creepy. Because a lot has gone on and parent wasn't aware. Kudos to you! This is what we're trained for....I'm waiting for Old Dude to chime in but I really, honestly believe you snatched this kid from the jaws of something terrible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

This would definitely have my creep alarm going off too. Kudos to you on the steps you've already taken. I agree with Wine that 14 year old can be impulsive and if she is prone to arguing with her mother, then she might decide one night, "heck with it", contact the guy and be on the next bus to slave city. One question is raised - if no pictures were exchanged, then why does he tell her she has kissable lips? I feel like even though she is being very forth coming, there still may be another layer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
This would definitely have my creep alarm going off too. Kudos to you on the steps you've already taken. I agree with Wine that 14 year old can be impulsive and if she is prone to arguing with her mother, then she might decide one night, "heck with it", contact the guy and be on the next bus to slave city. One question is raised - if no pictures were exchanged, then why does he tell her she has kissable lips? I feel like even though she is being very forth coming, there still may be another layer.

No doubt...but even if you're be played a little, you did the right thing. Good for you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I agree, I would report with her name on it, just in case she does decide to run away. That's extremely messed up on how an ADULT male is preying on a innocent young girl!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Yeah, no red flags there. Holy smokes! First I am glad for that young girl's sake she trusted you enough to talk about this before just jumping on a bus for Vegas never to be seen again. Super creepy that this so called talent agent is talking about her kissable lips when he's supposedly never seen them, so I don't think I fully believe that part of her story. I just hope any pictures he's seen of her aren't without her clothes on.

Sounds like you are doing everything you can by involving both the parents and CPS. She is at such an impressionable and vulnerable age.

I don't know if the kiddo actually shows some talent or not but maybe the parents could be talked in initiating contact with a legitimate talent agency that can either guide her if she does actually have talent or dissuade her from this dream if she doesn't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Predators like this guy are adept at spotting at-risk kids. Kids who are missing

/looking for something. Whether she has been abused in the past, or she is having family issues that make her a target for grooming, she needs more than just a quick Stranger Danger talk; she needs counseling to address the underlying issues.

It seems that there is the immediate danger, as well as future risks. If this young girl is susceptible to be groomed by this creep, she is also a potential victim for other prospective predators. So it's not only a matter of keeping her from hopping a Greyhound bus tomorrow, but also getting her the help that will protect from an assortment of abusive relationships down the road.

Including her name in the report may just be the catalyst to get her moving in a healthier direction.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Predators like this guy are adept at spotting at-risk kids. Kids who are missing

/looking for something. Whether she has been abused in the past, or she is having family issues that make her a target for grooming, she needs more than just a quick Stranger Danger talk; she needs counseling to address the underlying issues.

It seems that there is the immediate danger, as well as future risks. If this young girl is susceptible to be groomed by this creep, she is also a potential victim for other prospective predators. So it's not only a matter of keeping her from hopping a Greyhound bus tomorrow, but also getting her the help that will protect from an assortment of abusive relationships down the road.

Including her name in the report may just be the catalyst to get her moving in a healthier direction.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Predators like this guy are adept at spotting at-risk kids. Kids who are missing

/looking for something. Whether she has been abused in the past, or she is having family issues that make her a target for grooming, she needs more than just a quick Stranger Danger talk; she needs counseling to address the underlying issues.

It seems that there is the immediate danger, as well as future risks. If this young girl is susceptible to be groomed by this creep, she is also a potential victim for other prospective predators. So it's not only a matter of keeping her from hopping a Greyhound bus tomorrow, but also getting her the help that will protect from an assortment of abusive relationships down the road.

Including her name in the report may just be the catalyst to get her moving in a healthier direction. Kuddos for helping her!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion