The school district response protocol gives detailed step-by-step instructions on how to respond if faculty or staff is notified that a student is a victim of online enticement, sextortion, or human trafficking. The first adult that a child discloses to needs to start the response protocol.

Teachers and other school personnel in New Jersey are mandated reporters. If you have reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused or neglected, which includes trafficking, you must report it- you do not need proof or certainty to make the report (State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families, 2026). 

N.J.S.A. 9:6-8:10 requires any person with reasonable cause to report suspected abuse/neglect immediately (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2023). This applies to all school district employees, including teachers, instructional staff, aides, counselors, coaches, volunteers, and interns (State of New Jersey Department of Education, 2026). You are protected from legal liability when reporting in good faith (Mandated Reporter Academy, 2026).

N.J.A.C. 6A:16-11.1 mandates that districts train staff on report procedures and ensure reporting responsiblities are known (State of New Jersey Department of Education, 2026). This supports the idea that teachers should not conduct their own investigations- they are to report concerns so professionals can respond (State of New Jersey Department of Education, 2026). 

We have response protocols broken down by county below which include the appropriate phone numbers to reach out to.