Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking (HT) is a global problem which has attracted the attention of the United Nations and world Leaders. Why? Because it is an advanced form of slavery, over 21 million people are involved, and a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise – the 3rd largest criminal enterprise in the world. It is troubling because children and women are mostly affected. This global scourge is a violation of human rights.

HT happens in the form of sex and or labor trafficking. Sex trafficking is a major issue in the United States. The US is one of the advanced countries where victims are victimized by its own citizens. People don’t believe it happens in US let alone to its citizens. The US has a high rate of victimization and vulnerabilities; teenage runaways are a big issue. Runaways are at risk of being trafficked within 48 hours of being on the street. Girls between ages 12 & 14, and boys 11 & 13 are bought and sold for sex in the US. The ST hotline and other studies have revealed that between 100,000 and 300,000 girls are trafficked in the US. Perpetrators are organized criminal syndicates, smaller groups, individual pimps or gangs. This criminal act occurs in massage parlors, brothels hidden under legitimate businesses, escort services, hostess clubs or room salons, internet (sites such as craigslist and back-page), big/small cities, convention centers, during big events (like Super Bowl), skiing resorts, and recreational parks.

Our ultimate goal is to foster economic freedom and ease transition into communal life. Our programs are interwoven to achieve these goals. We begin with providing a platform for victims and survivor to receive help and or referred to where they may find help. This safe and secure space makes it easier for our girls to receive tools for socio-economic empowerment for sustainable restoration. Through our Aspire Mentorship Program we see girls empowered to pursue their dreams, reintegrate into communal; our Education Program is the driving force for social change for a long term goal of prevention and protection. We are proactive in our partnerships to identity service needs both in communities and among rescued girls.

We connect survivors:

• Through coalition and community partners,
• Shelters
• Introductions and referrals.
• We match policies and procedures of service providers with ours to identify those who are likely to benefit from our programs.
• Connections with community networks and groups that provide social services.

Facts

• Victims are forced, manipulated, coerced, threatened, and deceived into trafficking.
• Women account for 94% of all sex trafficking cases
• Most children are trafficked by loved ones or people they know
• Most sex trafficking victims are recruited by friends in exchange for food and shelter
• Victims who are in denial of victimization; form traumatic bond with captors (Stockholm syndrome)
• Most victims suffered sexual abuse and neglect as children
• Victims are often times treated as criminals by the justice system
• Victims are regarded as misfits by society and find it hard to reintegrate
• Some online sites enable traffickers, e.g. backpage.com.

Types

• Prostitution
• Pornography
• Stripping
• Live sex show
• Mail order bride
• Sex tourism

Trends

• Promised better foreign job
• False marriage proposal
• Sold into sex trade by loved ones
• Kidnapped by trafficker
• Lured by friends and strangers