Operation Angel Summit Resources
Know the signs. Trust yourself. Get support.
Your safety matters. Sometimes unsafe situations are obvious. Other times, they start small, a message, request, secret, or situation that does not feel right.
Operation Angel Summit helps youth recognize risks, understand warning signs, and know where to find help. If you or someone you know is experiencing pressure, threats, exploitation, or an unsafe situation, you are not alone. Support is available.
Understanding Online Risks
Unsafe situations do not always start out feeling unsafe. Sometimes they begin with attention, friendship, compliments, opportunities, or someone gaining your trust.
Knowing what different risks mean can help you recognize when something does not feel right and know when to ask for help.
What is grooming?
Grooming happens when someone builds trust or a relationship with another person in order to gain influence or control. This may include giving extra attention, asking for secrecy, testing boundaries, or trying to separate someone from people who support them.
What is exploitation?
Exploitation happens when someone pressures, tricks, threatens, or manipulates another person for their own benefit.
This can happen online or in person and may involve personal information, images, money, favors, or unsafe situations.
What is sextortion?
Sextortion is a form of online exploitation where someone uses threats or pressure involving private images, messages, or information to try to control another person.
If this happens, asking for help is important. There are steps you can take.
What is trafficking?
Trafficking happens when someone uses force, fraud, or coercion to exploit another person for labor, services, or commercial sex.
Trafficking does not always involve kidnapping or strangers. Sometimes the person causing harm is someone the individual knows.
Recognize the Warning Signs
Someone may be trying to control, pressure, or exploit you if they:
Ask you to keep conversations, relationships, or activities secret
Safe relationships don’t require secrecy.
If someone tells you not to tell anyone about your conversations, relationship, plans, or activities, pay attention to how that makes you feel. Healthy relationships allow you to stay connected with people who care about you.
If something feels wrong, talk with a trusted adult, friend, or support person. You do not have to figure it out alone.
Pressure you to send photos, videos, or personal information
Pause before you share.
Once something is shared digitally, you may lose control over where it goes or who sees it. Someone may promise to keep it private but later use it to pressure, embarrass, or control you.
If someone keeps asking after you say no, pressures you, or makes you uncomfortable, stop and talk with someone you trust.
Threaten to share something about you
Threats are about control. You have options.
Someone may threaten to share pictures, messages, personal information, rumors, or secrets to make you feel scared or keep you from asking for help.
Do not let threats force you into doing something you don’t want to do. Save messages if you safely can and reach out to someone who can help.
Offer gifts, money, attention, or opportunities in exchange for something
Ask yourself: “What do they expect in return?”
Kindness and support should not come with pressure or conditions. Be cautious if someone gives you gifts, attention, money, opportunities, or special treatment and then expects something from you.
Trust your instincts and talk with someone you trust if an offer does not feel right.
Online Risks & Safety Steps
Need Help Now?
If you need help, you have two safe options.
Use TXT 4 HELP
Need someone to talk to, but not ready to ask in person? Text SAFE and your current location to 4HELP (44357).
TXT 4 HELP is available 24/7 and connects youth with support when they need it.
Go to a Safe Place®
If you see the yellow and black Safe Place sign:
- Walk inside.
- Tell an employee, “I need help.”
- A trained responder will connect you with support.
Worried About Someone Else?
You do not have to have all the answers to help a friend.
You can:
- Check in with them privately
- Listen without judgment
- Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult
- Share Safe Place or TXT 4 HELP
If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
Additional Resources
Image-Based Abuse: Take It Down
A free service from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to help remove or stop the online sharing of certain images.
Online Exploitation: CyberTipline
Report suspected online exploitation involving youth.
Remember
You are allowed to ask for help.
You are allowed to say no.
You are allowed to leave situations that make you uncomfortable.
Safe Place and TXT 4 HELP are here when you need support.
Operation Angel Summit is presented in partnership with the U.S. Secret Service and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. Youth resource notebooks distributed through Operation Angel Summit were made possible through the generous support of the Kentucky Colonels.
