Republican Representative Darrell Issa explains to San Diego News Station KUSI about the important work of our organization, Saved In America, especially in the San Diego region.

Border Location Makes Problem Worse

San Diego is currently sitting at the second-worst city for human trafficking in the nation. The United States leads all other nations globally in this tragic statistic. However, San Diego in particular being a border city between America and Mexico, presents a unique challenge. Many assume that this issue would involve bringing people from Mexico trying to illegally enter the United States. However, according to Rep. Issa, the problem is just as prevalent the opposite way, when pimps and predators seek to move children out of the protection offered by the United States and into modern-day slavery, also called sex trafficking across Mexico’s border. 

Who is Victimized?

In San Diego, as well as every other city in America, it has been proven that any child can become a victim of the heinous crime of human trafficking. However, there are some factors that make kids more likely to become targets for predators and pimps, one of these being them running away from home. In fact, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one in seven runaway children are likely victims of sex trafficking. 

What Can be Done to Fight Back?

Thankfully, as explained by Rep. Issa, organizations like ours at Saved In America, which is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers and former special operators and police officers, is one way to fight back against this crime. We need to continue to advance our own technology to keep in step with the predators and to be able to find and rescue children. After recovery, it is necessary for the victims to be rehabilitated in a protective facility often called a safe home, followed by attaining an education or vocational training.

The singular biggest way to fight the war on sex trafficking and win is funding organizations like our own, volunteering, educating yourself on the problem, working with local politicians and delegates to pass legislation and bills that will protect children, and to expand the reach, scope, and awareness of the problem at hand. We must all work together in this fight against child sex trafficking. #ChildSavedNotSold