I could list statistics of human trafficking and the numbers of survivors every day, but doing that only gives facts and doesn’t bring the horrid reality to the forefront. Human trafficking is big, it is in every country, and it is in America. America is in the top 3 for the human trafficking industry and this industry is growing daily. Not only are victims being taken for sex trafficking, but they are also being taken for labor trafficking and organ harvesting. Just this week there was an accident in California involving a big rig and a Ford Expedition carrying 25 people across the U.S./Mexico border. This is being considered a possible labor trafficking situation. This is not something that goes on only in other countries or states, this is something that is in our own neighborhoods.
With sex trafficking, it is common for a victim to be groomed first. This could include becoming the victim’s significant other. With children, it would include excessive attention/gifts which leads to touching/molesting. This is why we need our children to have a safe person to go to when something doesn’t feel right, and we need to make sure we are constantly monitoring social activity, online or in person because something that can seem so innocent, can be just the opposite. Many times children are groomed online before they are taken. Sometimes they are never taken and just exploited. There are many apps used to groom/exploit children, yet many children are still allowed to use these apps and most are not monitored by the parent. It takes no time for a nude pic to become viral on the dark web, and once it is out there, it is hard to get it taken down. Just the same, it takes no time for a victim to be lured and taken. It is imperative, as parents/caregivers, that we are diligent when it comes to our children and that we look out for the other children who might not be so lucky to have parents who care.
With labor trafficking, both children and adults are brought from other countries, mostly Central and South America, to work. The work conditions are usually horrid and living conditions even worse. They are promised a better life and a chance to make enough money to take care of their families, when in reality the life they already have is 100 times better. Some are not given adequate amenities (housing), food, or basic necessities, and are instead expected to live like caged animals. I use the word caged because, once here, they have nowhere to turn. They have no family/friends, and most can’t turn themselves into authorities because they were brought here illegally. What is supposed to be a better life is a life of hell and this has to end.
With organ harvesting, the victim is not only going to be killed so some wealthy person can get the organ needed and some pompous jerk can get the money he/she desires, but in some cases, the victim is sex trafficked first.
This industry is evil in every sense of the word and we, as a nation, need to stand up to this evil and say, “NO MORE!”, or we are going to see this grow beyond our comprehension. Are you willing to join us in this fight. Not only us, but the many other organizations fighting this. Together we can END IT.
*for statistics and signs to look for, click on the Contact tab