January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The Blue lights on The Child Advocacy Center are a reminder that awareness and prevention on trafficking issues begins on a local level. The Child Advocacy Center works directly with youth and families in our community and operates the Safe Harbour Program, which supports youth who have been trafficked or are at risk of exploitation. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH - You might be wondering why are there blue lights shining at the Chenango Child Advocacy Center? January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Blue lights are a reminder that awareness and prevention on trafficking issues begins on a local level. When people hear the term “human trafficking,” they often imagine something that happens somewhere else. The reality is that trafficking is happening within our community.

Youth who are experiencing abuse, homelessness, family conflict, or social isolation are at higher risk of being targeted by traffickers who exploit unmet needs for attention, support, or necessities. The Child Advocacy Center works directly with youth and families in our community and operates the Safe Harbour Program, which supports youth who have been trafficked or are at risk of exploitation. The program provides a trauma-informed response that prioritizes safety, healing, and stability.

Rather than asking, “Why didn’t they leave?” Safe Harbour asks, “What happened to you, and how can we help?” Youth are connected to a team who walk alongside them, helping them access services, navigate systems, and begin the healing process.

Community awareness plays a powerful role in prevention. Teachers, coaches, neighbors, and friends are often the first to notice when something doesn’t seem right. Knowing the signs and understanding that trafficking can affect any family can make a real difference to kids and our community as a whole.

This January, Chenango Child Advocacy Center in partnership with Live Event NY, Safe Harbour NY and Rural United Way to provide services for at-risk youth and victims of trafficking. We invite our community to learn more about human trafficking and the resources available locally by visiting our Facebook Account and/or by working together to ensure that every young person in our community has the opportunity to grow up safe, supported, and free from exploitation.

At the Child Advocacy Center, we see firsthand how vulnerable youth can be targeted during difficult moments in their lives. Through the Safe Harbour Program, we support youth who have experienced trafficking or who are at risk, offering them advocacy, resources, and a safe place to turn.

Safe Harbour recognizes that youth who have been exploited need compassion, not judgment. Many have experienced trauma long before trafficking occurred. The program focuses on meeting youth where they are, helping them regain a sense of control, and connecting them with services that support healing and long-term safety.

Human trafficking prevention is not just the responsibility of service providers but the community as a whole. Awareness, education, and empathy can help create an environment where youth feel seen, valued, and supported before exploitation ever occurs.

This January, let us commit to learning more, talking openly, and supporting programs that protect our youth. When a community comes together, prevention becomes possible, and hope becomes stronger.

— Information from Joanne Smith, LMSW, Chenango Child Advocacy Center Director