Be Aware of Human Trafficking

She did not see any of it coming—not the deep darkness and not the shame that goes with it. “She” can be anyone. Unsuspecting individuals become victims of sex trafficking and find themselves caught in bondage. Did you know that eighty percent of human trafficking victims are trafficked for sexual purposes, even children as young as four years old?

This is Human Trafficking Awareness Month 

Human trafficking is . . . 

NOT a little girl being abducted from her back yard and kept in a locked room.

NOT a promiscuous girl from the wrong side of the tracks who is “asking for” what happens to her.   

NOT only victims brought here from other countries, held hostage in the back of semi-trucks and moved from place to place.

AND IT’S NOT occurring only in third world countries.

It’s here. It’s now. 

Victims realize too late that they are trapped. The average targeted age for victims is 13 years old. As one means of luring them into a trap, predators search out victims through social media. Hundreds of vulnerable prospects a day are willing to take the bait and are exploited.

Human Trafficking is Big Business 

The International Labor Organization estimates that forced labor and sex trafficking earns profits of roughly $150 billion a year. That’s illegal profit globally! Human trafficking is the second fastest growing criminal industry, just behind drug trafficking.

Shockingly, trafficking victims are often marked with a tattoo. In an effort to help rehabilitate victims, the state of New York announced on January 12, 2019 that it is offering free tattoo removal services.

“No one should have to live with a permanent mark on their body that reminds them of a violent and abusive time,” Suffolk County, New York Executive Steve Bellone said. “This new partnership brings us one step closer to helping victims of these heinous crimes recover and live a life with dignity.” 

The Will Or The Wall 

Where do we draw the line? Maybe a line in the sand is not enough. The devaluation of women and girls in any society is worth the fight to stop it. My interest in the movement against human trafficking began as compassion. It’s gone from compassion to anger. I’m involved in targeting bondage issues. Join with me in this fight to end the atrocity of human trafficking — you can follow the journey here on my blog or on Facebook. 

Human trafficking defiles, debases, and destroys lives. Let’s make predators stop dishonoring our fellow human beings—whether it’s through sex trafficking or the counterpart (labor trafficking).

• For other news and awareness tips visit The U.S. Institute for Human Trafficking.