(HKR-03-14-25) The crisis of missing Black girls and the ongoing struggle against Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) remain urgent issues, yet they often go overlooked in mainstream discourse. On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with advocate Nola Brantley, founder of Nola Brantley Speaks, to shed light on these pressing concerns.
The Silent Epidemic of Missing Black Girls
Brantley, who has been at the forefront of addressing the exploitation of Black girls since 2001, emphasized the lack of media attention and governmental support in tackling this crisis. Disturbing viral videos have surfaced, showing young Black women being abducted or left vulnerable on the streets, yet they receive little to no news coverage.
“What is happening with Black girls is atrocious,” Davey D pointed out. “There’s not a whole lot of fanfare about what’s going on.” Brantley echoed these sentiments, stating that despite years of advocacy, the situation has not improved. The continued absence of law enforcement intervention and the systemic neglect from institutions only exacerbate the problem.
The Federal Rollback and Its Impact
With recent federal policies cutting back on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, support services for trafficking victims and vulnerable youth are being defunded. Brantley noted that these rollbacks directly impact organizations that provide resources for survivors of trafficking, domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ youth.
“The situation is looking really bleak,” she explained. “Not only are services disappearing, but even the language used to advocate for these issues is being erased.”
Community-Based Solutions: A Call to Action
Despite systemic failures, Brantley insists that change must come from local communities. “The cavalry is not coming,” she stated. “We have to save ourselves and our children.”
Brantley outlined several community-led initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable youth:
- Public Awareness and Education: Teaching parents, educators, and children about the dangers of trafficking and online recruitment.
- Technology and Safety Measures: Distributing AirTags to track children in case of abduction and implementing safety protocols for social media use.
- Self-Defense Training: Providing priority classes for Black girls and young women to equip them with the skills to escape dangerous situations.
- Grassroots Advocacy: Forming neighborhood watch groups and advocating for equitable media coverage of missing Black children.
Addressing Misconceptions and Victim Blaming
Brantley also spoke on the deeply ingrained racial biases that dictate societal reactions to violence against Black women and girls. “Victimhood in America is racially coded,” she explained. “By the age of 12, Black girls are blamed for their own victimization.”
This dangerous narrative, rooted in historical oppression, manifests in how crimes against Black women are dismissed or ignored. Social media plays a role in perpetuating harmful stereotypes, allowing for the public dehumanization of Black girls.
The Role of Adults: Breaking the Cycle
A major aspect of prevention involves changing how adults engage with young people. Brantley stressed the importance of creating open, non-judgmental spaces where children feel comfortable discussing difficult topics.
“Kids need to trust us. They won’t come to us if they fear judgment or punishment,” she said. “We have to talk to them about their online lives, their relationships, and their safety without shaming them.”
Online Predators and Peer Recruitment
As technology evolves, so do the tactics of traffickers. Many recruiters now target victims through social media, gaming platforms, and online chat rooms. Alarmingly, peer recruitment—where young people are manipulated into recruiting their own friends—has also become a common tactic.
“Most kids who recruit others have been victims themselves,” Brantley explained. “Many are under threat, seeking love, or trying to lessen their own exploitation. They’re not acting out of malice—they’re surviving.”
Ways to Get Involved
Brantley provided several ways that individuals and organizations can support efforts to combat CSEC and DMST:
- Support Local Organizations: Volunteer time or donate to nonprofits focused on protecting at-risk youth.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Demand that elected officials prioritize funding for missing Black children and survivor support programs.
- Spread Awareness: Share information and missing persons alerts to amplify marginalized voices.
- Mentorship and Community Support: Foster relationships with at-risk youth, particularly those in the foster care system.
For those interested in engaging further, Brantley encouraged participation in an upcoming Oakland town hall hosted by Adamika Village, an organization dedicated to addressing the crisis of missing Black women and girls.
Final Thoughts
Davey D closed the conversation with a powerful reminder: “Let’s not leave our Black girls behind. This is a big problem, but one we can all solve if we give it the urgency and attention it deserves.”
Brantley emphasized that true change requires sustained community commitment. “We need a committed group of people,” she said. “Not just when there’s an emergency, but for the long haul.”
For those looking to get involved, Brantley can be reached at Nola@nolabrantleyspeaks.org.
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