Human Trafficking is the 2nd largest criminal enterprise in the world, affecting every country. There are over 20 million victims of human trafficking globally today, more than at any time in history. In the U.S., up to 300,000 children are trafficked annually, and it is a multi-billion dollar industry. Victims can be of any age, gender, race, or nationality. They are most often recruited through manipulation by acquaintances, family members, and false promises of love and employment. Pimps and traffickers seek out and exploit vulnerabilities in potential victims, many of whom have experiences of abuse, family instability, substance abuse, or time in foster care.
3. 2nd largest criminal enterprise in the world
Affects every country in the world
20.9 million men, women and children
trafficked around the world today
More slaves in the world today than in any
other time in history
TRAFFICKING AROUND THE
WORLD
Polaris Project
4. • Up to 300,000 children in the U.S. per year (unicef.org)
• 17,000 INTO the U.S per year (Trafficking in Persons)
• No Socioeconomic class is immune
• 100 after care facility beds in U.S specifically for
trafficking victims
• NO aftercare facilities in S.C. for
minors.
U.S. Reality
5. • U.S. is in the top three destination countries for women
and children to be sexually exploited (unicef.org)
• Multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. per year (FBI Human
Trafficking)
• Average age of entry: 13 (sharedhope.org)
• Documented in all 50 states - Urban and Rural
Communities
• No Socioeconomic class is immune
U.S. Reality
8. 85% of victims are female (Polaris Project)
70% of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking
Victims have experienced abuse in their
homes (SharedHope.org)
85% of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking
Victims experienced contact with the child
welfare system
1 out of 3 runaway teens will be lured
into prostitution within 48 hours of
leaving home (National Runaway Hotline)
VICTIMS CAN BE ANY AGE, RACE,
GENDER OR NATIONALITY, INCLUDING
U.S. CITIZENS
9. History of sexual abuse
History of running away or current
status as a runaway.
History of physical abuse
Unstable home life and/or involvement
in the child welfare or foster care
system
Substance abuse of harder drugs
Gang involvement
SIGNS OF VULNERABILITY
IN TARGETED YOUTH
12. Anyone who exploits another human for the profit
gained from forced labor or commercial sex
(National Human Trafficking Resource Center)
Across the United States, family members, friends,
and “boyfriends” can be pimps and traffickers
Traffickers can be male or female, acquaintances
or strangers
They lure through manipulation and exploitation of
vulnerabilities
Traffickers can be lone individuals or part of
extensive criminal networks
WHO ARE THE
PIMPS/TRAFFICKERS?
13. COMMON BEHAVIORS AND
CHARACTERISTICS OF
PIMPS/TRAFFICKERS
“It’s impossible to protect all
girls from guys like I was,
because that’s what we do.
We eat, drink, and sleep,
thinking of ways to trick young
girls into doing what we want
them to do.”
– Ex Pimp
14. • Controlling or abusive “boyfriend”
• Relationship with another older male
• Physical signs of abuse; bruises, cuts, burns
• Appearance of expensive gifts, clothing, or other
costly items
• Withdrawal or lack of interest in previous activities
• Gang involvement
• Inappropriate Clothing
• Demeanor Changes: fearful, anxious, depressed,
• submissive, nervous
•
Warning Signs
15. • Only 1% of Victims are ever rescued.
• Average life span of victims after
entry- 7 years
• Homicide and AIDS are the leading
cause of death in this population
Outcomes
23. Provide a new contact.
On your notecard please write down the name
and contact information of at least one person
you think would be interested in the
information you heard today.
Practical ways YOU can join
the fight…
24. Make a 1 time donation.
Please look over the list of items Lighthouse for
Life will need on a monthly basis.
Do you see a category you would be willing to
sponsor?
If so, please talk to Jen at the conclusion of
today’s meeting.
Practical ways YOU can join
the fight….
25. Become a full time partner.
If you would life to support Lighthouse for Life
on a continuing basis please talk to Jen at the
conclusion of today’s meeting.
Practical ways YOU can join the
fight….
26. You tell us…
How can YOUR personal abilities, talents and
passions contribute to this worthy cause?
Practical ways YOU can join the
fight….
