The founder of Saved In America, Joseph Travers spoke on the scope of Saved In America (SIA) on the show Update. This show covered information about the organization’s work throughout the nation against the growing problem of human trafficking. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, around 800,000 children are reported missing throughout the nation. Furthermore, according to additional statistics that reveal how many of those missing children will fall into the hands of predators and end up part of a human trafficking ring, some 100,000 kids on any given day, are being victimized in America within human trafficking rings. 

Myths of Human Trafficking

In many cases, the myths of human trafficking make it harder to understand the scope of the problem as it is in reality within the borders of the United States of America. One myth that is constantly perpetuated is that human trafficking only exists in poor countries or underdeveloped nations where this type of thing is allowed. This is not true. In fact, within America’s borders, a developed and thriving nation in so many ways, human trafficking is thriving thanks to the evil triad of gangs and cartels that have taken over the industry. 

Travers also mentions that movies like “Taken” has led to misinformation about human trafficking. According to Travers, Hollywood’s version of the problem is not based on reality. In real life, the problem is much harder to figure out, track down and defeat. If real life were like the movie version, police departments would be able to implement their tools and fight back more sufficiently. However, it doesn’t happen like in the movies. It is nuanced and subtle and often the kids willingly (at least seemingly through skilled coercion) run away before being taken into the industry. This misinformation about the industry has harmed efforts to combat its growth within this wonderful nation. 

Gangs Have Infiltrated Schools 

Gangs have utilized young kids to do their dirty work, convincing girls to enter the human trafficking industry. All schools have recruiters in the form of other students trying to earn their way into gangs by recruiting girls into the industry. Most of this is done through technology and social media. It is much different from a snatch and grab job like Taken. It is all about brainwashing and seduction, which makes it much harder and more time-consuming to overcome and counteract. #ChildSavedNotSold