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Facts on Human Trafficking
Photo Credit: neocorr.org
Human trafficking.
There just isn’t a way to make those two words OK when they’re used together. In the global community, innumerable women, children and even men are bought and sold like cattle for the purpose of catering to the sick whims and twisted wishes of a certain population. These modern day slaves are forced to work in silence, without question, usually to facilitate cheap or free labor and sexual pleasure.
It’s happening right here, right now, as well as in countries all over the world.
In this day and age of high-tech know how, we don’t have a valid excuse for being ignorant about the world around us. So, in observance of National ‘Human Trafficking’ Awareness month, check out this helpful list and get up to speed on the plight of those trapped in modern day slavery.
10 things you may not know about human trafficking:
1) Human trafficking generates $9.5 billion yearly in the United States. (United Nations)
2) Approximately 300,000 children are at risk of being trafficked in the United States.
(U.S. Department of Justice)
3) The average age of entry into prostitution for a child victim in the United States is 12-14 years old. (U.S. Department of Justice)
4) A pimp can make $150,000-$200,000 per child each year and the average pimp has 4 to 6 girls. (U.S. Justice Department, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
5) The average victim may be forced to have sex anywhere from 20-48 times a day) One in three teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. (National Runaway Hotline)
7. The United States is one of the top three destination points for trafficked victims. California, New York, Texas and Nevada are the top destination states within the country.
8. The average age of a young woman being trafficked is 11–14 years old.
9. Immigration agents estimate that 10,000 women are being held in Los Angeles’ underground brothels; this does not include the thousands of victims in domestic work, sweatshops or other informal industries.
10. Trafficked children are significantly more likely to develop mental health problems, abuse substances, engage in prostitution as adults, and either commit or be victimized by violent crimes later in life. (Polaris Project)It’s important to note that human trafficking is a very prevalent crime against basic human rights, a crime that has spiraled out of control right under our noses. But don’t let these troubling facts and grim human trafficking statistics overwhelm you.
Thousands of people both at home and abroad have been taking very effective measures to combat the heinous injustice that is human trafficking.Things are a far cry from perfect, but with new anti-trafficking laws, preventive measures, rigorous aftercare and human rights agencies like IJM, who rescue victims of slavery on a regular basis, substantial progress is being made.
Remember: Human trafficking impacts people of all backgrounds, and people are trafficked for a lot of reasons.
Not all slaves are trafficked, but all trafficking victims are victims of slavery.
How you can help:
Let this quote by Elie Wiesel inspire you to take action: “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.”
Simply refuse to be neutral. Educate yourself on human trafficking issues. Stand for freedom.
