Playbook
A teen is missing, or may be being recruited: the response playbook
What to do when a young person disappears or you suspect someone is recruiting them into trafficking, including the first hours that matter most.
1 Phase 1 of 6 · Prepare
Prepare
The first hours matter. Have the facts ready.
- Keep a current photo, height and weight, distinguishing marks and clothing notes.
- Know your child’s friends, their parents’ numbers and the apps your child uses.
- Know how to use the location-sharing and device-finding tools your family has agreed to.
- Save the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, or text 233733.
2 Phase 2 of 6 · Spot it
Spot it
Recruitment often looks like a ‘relationship’ or a ‘job’.
| What you may notice | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| New, older ‘boyfriend’ or friend who buys gifts and controls where they go | Control and dependence |
| Unexplained cash, phones, clothes, hotel keys | Someone else is providing |
| New, secretive contacts, deleted history, a second phone | Isolation |
| Missing school; fear, anxiety, not answering simple questions | Possible coercion |
| Offers of fast modeling, travel or work from online strangers | Common lure |
3 Phase 3 of 6 · Contain
Contain
If a teen is missing, act within the hour.
- Call 911 or the local police and report your child missing. You do not have to wait 24 hours.
- Call NCMEC: 1-800-843-5678. They can help with online leads and alert other agencies.
- Tell police if you suspect trafficking, and share any online contacts.
- Do not delete anything on the teen’s devices or accounts. Do not log in as them or message the contact.
- Contact friends and trusted adults calmly. Ask only for information, not for blame.
- Don’t confront or threaten the person you suspect. It can increase danger.
- Don’t post the teen’s details publicly before speaking to police and NCMEC.
- Don’t say ‘when you come home you’re in trouble’ in any message.
4 Phase 4 of 6 · Clean up
Clean up
Preserve leads and shut doors.
- Write down timelines: last seen, last message, who they were with.
- Save usernames, phone numbers, payment apps, and addresses.
- Share your evidence log with police.
- Report suspicious accounts to the platform and the CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org).
5 Phase 5 of 6 · Recover
Recover
A returning teen needs safety before questions.
- Welcome them home before asking what happened.
- Arrange a medical check and trauma-informed counseling.
- Let trained professionals, such as a Children’s Advocacy Center, lead any interview.
- Use the National Human Trafficking Hotline for referrals and local support.
First words
“I’m so glad you’re safe. You’re not in trouble. We’ll figure out next steps together, at your pace.”
6 Phase 6 of 6 · Learn
Learn
Prevent a repeat.
- Ask what drew them in and what would have helped them leave sooner.
- Plan a safer contact path if they leave again.
- Review the plan with a counselor or case manager.
Awareness Is Prevention is a prevention and education nonprofit, not a crisis line, law firm or law enforcement agency. This is general guidance, not legal or medical advice. In an emergency call 911.
Related
Safety is built before the crisis
Pick your part and see it through. Prevention works when people follow through.