Safe Schools

Human Trafficking

Published: 7/27/2026 11:46 AM

Human trafficking affects all communities, schools, socioeconomic groups, and student demographics, occurring in rural, suburban, and urban areas across the country. KRS 158.041 requires public schools to display the National Human Trafficking Reporting Hotline, which is 1-888-373-7888.

Key Materials for Schools

Downloadable posters for schools or other public venues to be placed in areas visible to students such as hallways and bathrooms.

Human Trafficking Poster Young Student English Version

Human Trafficking Poster Young Student Spanish Version
Human Trafficking Poster Older Student English Version
Human Trafficking Poster Older Student Spanish Version
Human Trafficking Poster Older Student Swahili Version
Human Trafficking Poster Older Student Kinyarwanda Version

Human Trafficking Overview

Human trafficking is the exploitation of another individual for labor and/or commercial sex though the use of fraud, force, or coercion. Kentucky passed the Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Act in 2013, which includes the “safe harbor” component that is aimed at protecting the youngest victims from prosecution and by mandating services for their recovery.

Report Human Trafficking

Every person who works in a school system has the potential to be an advocate for child victims of human trafficking. School personnel should then report suspected victimization. The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) is an anonymous reporting tool that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, all adults in Kentucky are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse.

Pursuant to KRS 620.030, Kentucky is a mandated reporter state meaning that suspected trafficking of a minor must be immediately reported to the Cabinet. You may call the Child Protection Hotline (1-877-KYSAFE1 or 1-877-597-2331) or use the Kentucky Child/Adult Protective Services Reporting System website. When reporting, document the date, time, intake identification number and the name of the individual who took the report.

Human Trafficking Protocol for Schools

In collaboration with the Human Trafficking State Task Force, KDE is working to create awareness on the issue of child human trafficking. As a result, the Human Trafficking Protocol for Schools was created. This protocol lists indicators of trafficking, how to report suspected cases, and tips after reporting was created. After reporting a suspected case, educators must be cautious not to intervene in a way that might jeopardize an investigation because victims are under the power and control of the trafficker and often try to protect the trafficker. The protocol can be displayed in your schools and shared with educators.

Additional Resources on Human Trafficking in Schools

Just Like Me Just Like Me Report Cards (search by state) by Shared Hope International

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Healthy Students’ report on Human Trafficking in America’s Schools

The Kentucky Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force is a multi-disciplinary task force bringing together law enforcement, victim advocates, service agencies, and survivor leaders to combat human trafficking in Kentucky.

Related Statutes

KRS 156.095 - Requirement for schools to display the National Human Trafficking Hotline

KRS 421.350 – Testimony of child allegedly victim of illegal sexual activity

KRS 421.500 – Victim’s Bill of Rights

KRS 431.600 – Includes advocates of victims for human trafficking in membership of multidisciplinary teams and permits MDTs to investigate child human trafficking cases involving commercial sexual activity

KRS 529.100 – Human trafficking

KRS 529.110 – Promoting human trafficking

KRS 529.120 – Prohibits prosecution of minors for prostitution and requires report of child to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS); permits law enforcement to take a child victim of human trafficking into protective custody

KRS 529.180– Ignorance of human trafficking minor victim's actual age not a defense

KRS 605-030 – Permits court-designated workers to perform an initial screening for human trafficking

KRS 620.029 – Requires cabinet to report all children who are victims of human trafficking

KRS 620.030 – Requires a mandatory report to CHFS if there is reasonable cause to believe a child is a victim of human trafficking

KRS 620.040 – Provide assessment, treatment, housing, and services to the child as a victim of human trafficking and treat the child as an abused child

KRS 630.125 – Child not to be charged with or found guilty of status offense related to human trafficking.