The Hidden Danger

The Hidden Danger: Why Holidays Increase the Risk of Human Trafficking

The holidays are a season many families wait for all year time off school, travel, family gatherings, and celebration. But for vulnerable youth, this same season can be a time of heightened risk. With teens spending more hours online, parents stretched thin, and travel hubs more crowded than usual, predators often exploit the chaos, anonymity, and emotional vulnerabilities that surface this time of year.

After more than a decade of operations, Saved in America has learned a sobering truth: missing child and exploitation cases rise significantly around the holidays. Our investigative team repeatedly sees two seasonal patterns increased runaway incidents and increased online grooming activity, both of which can lead to exploitation if not intercepted early.

This blog explains why the holiday season creates elevated risk, what parents need to watch for, and how awareness combined with quick action can save lives.

Why Risk Increases During the Holidays

1. More Online Time, Less Supervision

When school breaks begin, online activity spikes. Teens spend more time on social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps places where predators frequently initiate contact.

A report from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children notes:

"Online enticement reports have risen dramatically in recent years, with predators increasingly targeting youth during out of school periods."
(Source: NCMEC, Online Enticement Data)

Saved in America’s own investigative data mirrors this pattern. In many of our holiday related cases, exploitation began with direct messages from strangers, fake modeling opportunities, or manipulative 'friendships' formed online.

2. Runaway Risk Increases With Emotional and Family Stress

The holidays can intensify family tension, emotional struggles, or feelings of isolation for teens. This makes some youth more vulnerable to running away, which traffickers actively exploit.

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:

"1 in 6 runaways reported to NCMEC are likely victims of child sex trafficking."
(Source: NCMEC, Missing Children Statistics)

Saved in America sees this unfold every year. Many trafficking victims are not abducted they are lured, persuaded, or manipulated during moments of emotional vulnerability.

3. Travel Crowds Create Opportunity for Predators

Airports, bus stations, train stations, hotels, and malls are all significantly more crowded during the holiday months. Traffickers rely on these environments because it becomes easier to move unnoticed.

As WBAY News reported regarding holiday travel:

“Human trafficking experts warn that crowded travel centers during the holidays can create opportunities for traffickers to operate under the radar.”
(Source: WBAY, Holiday Travel Trafficking Risk Report)

Saved in America investigators often monitor these environments when searching for missing children because they are known movement points for traffickers.

4. Increased Commercial Demand

Trafficking is a demand driven crime. Research published by the Human Trafficking Center highlights that major holidays correlate with increased commercial sex demand, which can fuel exploitation cycles.

While the reasons vary loneliness, travel, increased spending traffickers anticipate these shifts and act accordingly.

Common Red Flags During the Holiday Season

Based on SIA’s investigative history, external research, and national data, here are warning signs to watch for:

Online Red Flags

  • Teens talking with new online “friends” you’ve never heard of

  • Sudden secrecy about devices

  • New gifts (tech, clothes, money) from unknown sources

  • Creating new social accounts you didn’t authorize

Behavioral Red Flags

  • Withdrawal from family events

  • Increased emotional volatility

  • Sudden interest in traveling or meeting new “friends”

  • Disappearing for extended periods without explanation

Travel & Public Space Red Flags

  • A young person who appears coached or afraid to speak

  • Someone traveling with a significantly older companion who won't allow them to talk

  • Confusion about where they’re going or who they’re meeting

  • A child/teen carrying new phones or multiple hotel keys

If something feels “off,” trust your instincts.

How Parents Can Reduce Risk This Holiday Season

1. Stay Involved in Your Child’s Online Life

You don’t need to monitor every message, but you do need open dialogue.

  • Ask about new online friends

  • Review privacy settings

  • Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight

  • Establish “check in points” during the break

NCMEC recommends:

"Parents should maintain open communication with their children about online behavior and reinforce boundaries and safety expectations."

2. Set Clear Expectations Before Travel

If your child or teen is traveling alone or with others review:

  • Who they’re meeting

  • Transportation plans

  • How they will check in with you

  • What to do if they feel unsafe

Give them a safe word to text or call if needed.

3. Strengthen Emotional Support

Many children go missing after “one bad night.”
The more connected your child feels, the less likely they are to seek validation from unsafe people online.

4. Know Your Resources

Keep these numbers saved in your phone:

  • Saved in America Missing Child Hotline: 760-348-8800

  • National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

  • NCMEC Tipline: cybertipline.org

Act fast. In many SIA rescues, time was the determining factor.

How Saved in America Helps During the Holidays

Saved in America is a nonprofit of former law enforcement officers, special operators, and private investigators who volunteer their time to locate missing, runaway, and exploited children.

Our services to families are always free.

Holiday season or not when a child disappears, parents don’t have days or weeks. They need help immediately.

SIA provides:

  • Rapid response

  • Collaboration with local law enforcement

  • Intelligence gathering

  • Surveillance when appropriate

  • Online investigation

  • Support for the child and family after recovery

Many holiday related rescues come down to one thing:
A parent recognized something was wrong and took action quickly.

Citations

  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) | Missing Children & Online Enticement Data

  • WBAY News, Recognizing Human Trafficking During Holiday Travel

  • Polaris Project | Myths, Facts & Trafficking Statistics

  • Human Trafficking Center | Demand & Trafficking Cycles

  • CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) | Holiday Online Safety Tips

Call to Action

If your child is missing or you believe they are being groomed or exploited, contact Saved in America immediately at 760-348-8800.

Your call could be the difference between danger and rescue.

Malerie Lujan