Human trafficking doesn’t always begin with a stranger. Sometimes it begins with someone a child already trusts. In this episode, Jacquelyn Aluotto shares nearly two decades of experience fighting trafficking and explains what her work uncovered about peer-to-peer exploitation inside schools. She breaks down how friendship, romantic attention, drugs, social media, and a child’s need to belong can become entry points for grooming, and why these risks cross economic lines and school districts. Jacquelyn also shares the work behind Texas’ No Trafficking School Zone Act, survivor-informed awareness efforts, and practical ways parents can create the kind of relationship where their children feel safe asking for help. 💡 Key Takeaways

• How grooming can begin with a friendship at school

• Why trafficking risk isn't limited to certain communities

• The connection between social media, drugs, and exploitation

• Why shame can keep children from asking for help

• How stronger boundaries can help children recognize when something is wrong