Human trafficking support centre focuses on teenage pimping

The counselling centre for victims of human trafficking, Payoke, has prepared a new campaign against the issue of teenage pimps. Called Examining Teen Pimps in Kindergarten, the campaign says you can't start warning children about the dangers early enough.

The number of cases of teenage pimping victims continues to grow in Belgium. "In recent years, we've seen that social media is a catalyst in how teenage pimps operate," says Payoke director Anton Van Dyck. "Pimps can easily approach young people online, and online interactions often remain invisible to the victim's environment and parents for a long time, allowing the pimp to go about his business undisturbed.

"With the new campaign, we want to make a statement here and wake people up. You can't start too early on teaching children and young people what is and isn't OK in relationships." The campaign shows fictional images of a kindergarten teacher teaching children words like grooming, sextortion, love bombing and shaming.

Payoke says it is not really the intention to talk about teenage pimps in kindergarten. However, the youngest victim the organisation has counselled was only 11 years old.

On the Payoke website, there is a relationship test that young peole can use to determine if they are in a healthy relationship. If they score poorly, they are advised to contact Payoke.

^{© BELGA PHOTO PAYOKE}