Weeping Angel Project

Human trafficking, or modern-day slavery, involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Runaways and missing children make up a large portion of those victimized by the sex trade industry in America. In fact, according to estimations by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one in every seven runaways is likely a victim of sex trafficking, and around 60% of the runaways are approached by a trafficker within the first 48 hours after they are reported missing. This has promoted organizations like our own Saved in America to consider actionable ways to fight back against these atrocities. 

The Immense Scope of Human Trafficking in America

Unfortunately, human trafficking is very much in play even in a free and wonderful nation such as our own beloved America. According to statistics on the matter, child sex trafficking has been reported in all 50 states in the nation. Every day, there are an astounding 300,000 missing children in America. In San Diego alone, there are between 3,000 and 8,000 children trafficked each year. The average age of a trafficked child is a mere 15 years of age. 

What Makes Sex Trafficking Desirable For Criminals?

In years past cartels mainly dealt with drugs and built their empire off of the transportation and selling of such products. Today, many of these same cartels have added a new product to the inventory, humans. Furthermore, a modern pimp will make an average of $100,000 a year per child within the human trafficking industry. Sex trafficking is currently the second-largest black market industry in the land, following only drug trafficking. It generates around $810 million a year, making it an immensely profitable industry for these predators. 

Saved in America is Fighting Back

Thankfully, Saved in America is fighting back against the odds and rescuing girls from this lifestyle. Since its inception in 2014, the organization has assisted in the investigation and location of 201 trafficking/runaway cases, and that number has only increased. Thanks to the group’s 30 operators, all licensed and insured private investigators who have a professional military or law enforcement background, these kids now have a voice and the protection they deserve.