You might assume that human trafficking is something that only takes place in other countries, perhaps where the population is poor, and the parents are desperate, so selling their children is a means to survival. You might also if it does happen within America’s safe borders that it must only affect the poorest of the poor and the families that are broken or without a good foundation. The ugly truth is that human trafficking is booming in America and does affect every type of family and background you can imagine. Your child, along with everyone else’s, is at risk of being victimized by this industry.   Knowing this ugly truth and understanding the dangers is vital to keeping your child safe from this horrific industry. 

What is the Truth?

The truth is the age of 16 is the average age of entry into the sex trafficking industry for victims in San Diego. In San Diego alone, the number of commercially exploited people is estimated to be between 3,400 and 8,100. In reality, gangs and cartels are victimizing young girls because they are valuable commodities. It is all about money in the human trafficking game as it is in various aspects of life. These criminals can benefit from young girls, selling them like a commodity, and treating them as a possession to be used over and over. 

There is Hope

Through organizations like our own at Saved in America, there is hope for girls who have become part of this industry. Saved in America works first to find them after they leave their homes and before they are victimized by the human trafficking industry or rescue them from the industry if they have been sold into it already. They are then rescued and given the help they need to recover. Most of these girls have been through an immensely traumatic experience. They will need help to recover and go back to living a healthy life. Saved in America also works with families to help them prosecute those who are responsible for victimizing these girls, getting them off the streets where they can not hurt anyone else. However, the whole process starts with the parents reaching out for help when their daughter goes missing.