Inspire.Empower.Equip
MODERN DAY SLAVERY. BY THE NUMBERS.
TRAFFICKING WOMEN AND CHILDREN FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IS THE FASTEST GROWING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE IN THE WORLD! The Internet has created an easy and accessible venue for the commercial sexual exploitation of children. As a result, young girls are the new commodities that traffickers and gangs are selling. The statistics are alarming and the crime is incredibly disturbing but the good news is, together we can do something to stop it!
APPROX 300,000 MINORS INVOLVED IN TRAFFICKING IN THE U.S.
Globally the numbers are around 27,000,000 victims of trafficking, and the crime is on the rise. Sacramento is one of the highest-ranking cities in the country for this crime. Survivors of sex trafficking tell stories of daily degradation. They are sold numerous times a day and are often isolated, intimidated, and subject to physical and sexual assault by their traffickers. Most live under constant mental and physical threat. The majority suffer severe emotional trauma, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and disassociation. They are at greater risk of contracting sexually transmissible infections, including HIV/AIDS. Many become pregnant and are forced to undergo often unsafe abortions. This crime must be stopped.
THE AVERAGE AGE VICTIMS ENTER TRAFFICKING IS 12 YEARS OLD
According to the Department of Justice, the average age of a prostituted “trafficked” girl in the U.S. is 12-14 years. These sexually exploited girls are routinely raped, beaten into submission, and even tattooed/branded by their pimps. Sadly, sexual exploitation of minors has always existed. However, stories of traffickers preying on girl runaways within 48 hours after they have left home have increased at a disturbing rate.
1 OUT OF EVERY 2 TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IS A FOSTER CHILD
A Recent FBI task force operation across the country rescued hundreds of trafficked children and proved the standing statistics that about 70% of trafficking victims come from the foster care system. The FBI called this "a very disturbing trend" - kids in foster care literally fall off the radar. "Without families to work on their behalf, it is more difficult to rescue foster youth from sex trafficking and keep them out of the cycle." (FBI Task Force Leader)
We believe the best way
to stop Sex Trafficking
is to NEVER LET IT START!!
A holistic and comprehensive strategy is needed to combat sex trafficking effectively. However, we believe that by getting involved in the lives of young, at-risk girls we can cut off a significant portion of the supply of trafficking victims and stop sex trafficking for these girls before it even starts!