Federal and local organizations teach Bronx students about how to spot, prevent human trafficking

The FBI, Homeland Security and Not on My Watch, a local nonprofit, visited Bronx middle schoolers in Williamsbridge for the annual Human Trafficking awareness event hosted by Sen. Jaamal T. Bailey.

Valerie Ryan

Jan 31, 2025, 10:44 PM

Updated 3 hr ago

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Local organizations say human trafficking is happening in our borough but say there are ways to spot it and prevent it. The FBI, Homeland Security and Not on My Watch, a local nonprofit, visited Bronx middle schoolers in Williamsbridge for the annual Human Trafficking awareness event hosted by Sen. Jaamal T. Bailey. Lady Pamela Damon, the executive director of Not On My Watch, says trafficking isn't just what you see in the movies. "It's not that white van that you hear about is slowly rolling down the street, but human trafficking is happening right in our schools." said Damon. She says predators can be people you love, and they will use your weaknesses against you. "It could be for money. It could be for love. It could be for attention." said Damon. According to the National Human Trafficking Center, New York ranks fourth nationwide for the most human trafficking cases. Homeland Security says it gets 80,000 reports of child exploitation across the nation every day. Federal organizations say you can protect yourself by setting your social media accounts to private, and if you see something, say something.