Human Trafficking In The US Is Staggering

Most recently, during the investigative period of the Orchid's Day Spa case involving Robert Kraft and others, I had the hope we would see the appropriate attention on the issues of human trafficking in the US. I was hoping to see harsh accountability for those who pay for the “work” of those trafficked. Instead, it appears it’ll be the latest example of how to use loopholes in the legal system to get away with sex-trafficking. Meanwhile, the problem continues to exacerbate and now we’ve learned a new disturbing wrinkle from the US State Department. The United States is one of the top five countries for human trafficking in the world. 

How bad is the problem today? 300,000 children are at risk of being human trafficked in the US and 199,000 children are lost to human trafficking in the US every year.

Let me put that in perspective for you. We’re losing 545 minors to human trafficking in the US per DAY! You’d think that’d be headline news, wouldn’t you? Granted this took a little digging and calculating on my part but frankly not that much and it's mind-boggling to me that a country that’s previously been captivated by the stories of Natalie Holloway, Elisabeth Smart and others wouldn’t seemingly care about our kids going missing. But as I’ve previously mentioned, few victims fit the “profile” news media decides you should know and care about. Over 80% of victims are minorities and commonly from urban epicenters.

In Florida, we have the 7th highest rate of human trafficking per capita in the country and South Florida, specifically the tri-county area, is among the highest rate per capita in the country. That’s what every parent should know. Our children are at high risk in South Florida. Parents never think it could happen to their kids until it does. We need to be vigilant in educating our kids about risk responsibility and staying on top of any behavior or new acquaintances that raise concerns. 545 kids lost per day in the US, it might not be your child today, and God willing never will be, but it is someone’s in South Florida today.

Photo by: Getty Images


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