July Magazine 2012

Human Trafficking Also known as Modern Day Slavery since there is more people held today then all of history put together.

Human Trafficking is a growing problem not only around the world but right here in the USA. It is estimated that there are over 2.5 million people in forced labor (including sexual exploitation) at any given time as a result of Human Trafficking. The majority of victims are between 18 and 24 years old with a estimated 1.2 million victims being children (under 18 years old.)

As a result of the growing global economic crisis the problem of human trafficking will grow as it has been for the last 10 years. In the United States the US State Dept. listed the US as a destination country (meaning this was the destination of trafficking victims) however, in the last few years the US is now listed also as a source country (meaning the country is a source for new victims.) With over 2,300 children reported missing a day in the US it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

With an estimation of over 31.5 billion in profits brought in by human trafficking it is again no surprise why more and more organized crime are getting involved in Human Trafficking. Human Trafficking has surpassed gun trafficking and is only second to drug trafficking.

Victims: With the victims being often held in inhumane living conditions, sleeping on the floor, with very little food or drink, more often than not kept on drugs, in places no one can hear them scream. In sex trafficking they are forced into prostitution, often times being raped up to 30xs a day, along with the physical and mental abuse that they must endure every day. We have seen victims as young as 10 years old kept in these conditions.

WHY? I get asked that question a lot, “Why do these girls fall prey”?” Why don’t they just escape?” The best way I can answer that is from what I seen through my own experience.

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