Child Human Trafficking Investigations
Child trafficking is a crime-and represents the tragic end of childhood.
Child trafficking refers to the exploitation of girls and boys primarily for forced labor and sexual exploitation. Children account for 27% of all the human trafficking victims worldwide, and two out of every three child victims are girls.
Sometimes sold by a family member or an acquaintance, sometimes lured by fake promises of education and a “better” life – the reality is that these trafficked and exploited children are held in slave-like conditions without enough food, shelter or clothing, and are often severely abused and cut off from all contact with their families.
Children are often trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation or for labor, such as domestic servitude, agricultural work, factory work and mining, or they’re forced to fight in conflicts. The most vulnerable children, particularly refugees and migrants, are often preyed upon and their hopes for an education, a better job or a better life in a new country.
Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, and as a result, children are forced to drop out of school. risk their lives and are deprived of what every child deserves – a future.
Does child trafficking happen in the United States?
Yes, children are targeted for trafficking in the U.S. and are trafficked into the country from around the world. Often, children are trafficked from developing to developed countries. Victims are trafficked under various circumstances, including prostitution, online sexual exploitation, the illegal drug trade, and forced labor.
In the U.S., 60% of had sex trafficking victims have a history in the child welfare system. Foster children in particular are vulnerable to being victimized by child trafficking. Children in the foster care system often live in of the poorest communities in America, where Save the children work to break the cycle of poverty and ensure that every child gets a healthy start. a quality education, and is protected.
How many children are victim to child trafficking?
An estimated 1.2 million children are affected by trafficking at any given time. Around the world, most children who are victims of trafficking involved in forced labor.
Worldwide:
- 168 million children are victims of forced labor
- 215 million children are engaged in child labor
- 115 million of those children are involved in hazardous work
Who can I contact if I witness or suspect child trafficking?
The ChiIdhelp® National Child Abuse Hotline – Professional crisis counselors will connect you with a local number to report abuse. Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) – Aimed at preventing child abduction and exploitation, locating missing children, and assisting victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation. Call: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
National Human Trafficking Resource Center – A 24-hour hotline open all day, every day, which helps Identify, protect. and serve victims of trafficking. Call 1-800-373-7888.