This toolkit aims to assist service providers, caregivers, and individuals in recognizing signs of vulnerability to child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. It offers practical tools and structured frameworks, using relevant acronyms to identify red flags, understand grooming tactics, and take preventive actions to protect at-risk populations.

The first tool, Tricky People, introduces the “TRICKY PEOPLE” acronym, helping service providers stay vigilant about grooming behaviours and risk factors. It serves as both a guide for observation and a conversation starter to assess vulnerabilities and discuss concerns about potential exploitation.

The second tool, The 8 T’s of a Tricky Person, provides an in-depth look at grooming behaviours, categorizing manipulative tactics used by perpetrators to form power-over harmful relationships. This tool enhances service providers' ability to recognize subtle warning signs of grooming.

The third tool, The TREATS Framework, is a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes trust, autonomy, and compassion when working with vulnerable individuals in high-risk situations with sensitivity and an awareness of the complexities surrounding trauma and exploitation.

Service providers are encouraged to use these tools at their discretion, in alignment with their scope of practice, and or supportive role and relationship, selecting the tool that best fits their needs. These needs may include case conceptualization, psychoeducation and assessment tools for recognizing signs of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and grooming behaviours and patterns.

Through these tools, this toolkit equips service providers with practical, trauma-informed strategies to recognize, assess, and act upon signs of vulnerability to human trafficking and child exploitation, fostering safety and empowerment for those at greatest risk.