Child Sex Trafficking in America: A Harsh Reality
Child sex trafficking in America is not a myth or a distant problem; it’s an insidious reality that thrives in the shadows of our society. Every year, countless children are subjected to the unimaginable horrors of being sold, bought, and repeatedly raped for profit. This article aims to shed light on this dark corner of human behavior, exposing the reality without the veil of softened language. In full openness, I ran for a school board specifically to eradicate child sex rapists out of my school district. I found it more prevalent than you could possibly imagine. So bad that there were coaches of four separate schools that had open bets on how many “slap asses” they could achieve in any given time period. I highly recommend watching the documentary Keep This Between Us.
The Scope of the Problem
- Statistics: According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, one in six endangered runaways reported to them are victims of child sex trafficking. This crime affects both genders, with boys often overlooked in the narrative due to societal biases.
- Entry Points: Children often enter this vicious cycle through vulnerabilities like poverty, broken homes, foster care, or social media manipulation. They are lured, coerced, and forced by individuals they might trust or complete strangers promising a better life or romantic love.
- Venues: Trafficking doesn’t just occur in back alleys or overseas; it happens in hotels, motels, residential homes, and via online platforms. The anonymity and accessibility of the internet have made it a fertile ground for predators.
The Mechanics of Child Sex Trafficking
- Recruitment Tactics:
- Grooming: Traffickers often groom victims with affection, gifts, or attention, exploiting their emotional vulnerabilities.
- Debt Bondage: Some children are trafficked under the guise of repaying a debt, either their own or inherited from family members, trapping them in a cycle of exploitation.
- Force and Coercion: Physical force, threats to harm loved ones, or psychological manipulation keep many children in line.
- Operation and Exploitation:
- Children are moved frequently or kept in one location, often advertised for sex through coded language on various platforms.
- They might be drugged, physically restrained, or psychologically controlled to perform sexual acts with multiple “clients” daily.
- The Business Model:
- Traffickers profit immensely from the exploitation of children, often involving organized crime networks that operate with chilling efficiency, using technology to facilitate transactions and evade law enforcement.
Biden’s Open Border Policy: A Conduit for Trafficking
Policy Impact: Since the inception of President Biden’s border policies, there has been a marked increase in the vulnerability of children to traffickers. Border Patrol agents have reported an unprecedented influx of unaccompanied minors, many of whom are handed over to sponsors in the U.S. with minimal vetting. This policy, intended to be humane, has inadvertently become a boon for human traffickers.
Cartel Exploitation: Mexican, Venezuelan, Chinese and countless other cartels have capitalized on this situation, turning human smuggling into a lucrative business. Reports from border officials and anti-trafficking organizations indicate that these cartels are not just smuggling drugs but also people, with children being particularly at risk and more profitable. The relaxed enforcement has led to a surge in child exploitation where these children, once in the U.S., are sold into sex slavery or forced labor.
Lack of Accountability: The Biden administration’s decision to end DNA testing for family units is allowing non-related adults to claim children as their own, facilitating easier trafficking into the sex trade. The lack of follow-up on these children once they are in the U.S. is a failure to protect these young lives from predators.
Political and Economic Consequences: While the administration touts its policy as compassionate, the reality is that it has incentivized the largest child trafficking operations in human history. The economic incentive for cartels has multiplied, with human trafficking now a multi-billion dollar industry, directly linked to the policy changes.
Public Outcry: There’s been significant criticism from lawmakers and activists about how the policy has incentivized the very crime it should prevent. The Biden administration has opened the floodgates for child predators, making the United States a destination for child rape and exploitation on an industrial scale.
This policy has not only failed to curb the issue but has arguably exacerbated the trafficking crisis, leading to a humanitarian disaster at the doorstep of America, where the line between migration and exploitation blurs into a nightmarish reality for countless children.
The Human Toll
- Physical and Psychological Damage: Victims endure repeated sexual assaults, which can lead to severe physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and lifelong psychological trauma. PTSD, depression, and suicidal tendencies are common among survivors.
- The Cycle of Abuse: Many victims find it nearly impossible to escape due to fear, lack of resources, or because they’ve been brainwashed into believing they deserve this life or have no other options.
Law Enforcement and Legal Challenges
- Underreported and Misidentified: Due to the hidden nature of the crime, many cases go unreported. Even when reported, victims might be treated as criminals rather than victims, especially if they’ve engaged in activities like prostitution and drug trafficking out of necessity.
- Legal Frameworks: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) and subsequent amendments have aimed to protect victims and prosecute traffickers, but enforcement is patchy at best and mostly a false policy.
- Prosecution Difficulties: Proving coercion in court, especially without physical evidence, can be challenging. Additionally, many traffickers operate with a level of sophistication that makes tracking them down difficult.
Society’s Role and Response
- Public Awareness: There’s a dire need for education about the signs of trafficking and how to report suspicions. However, many Americans are unaware of the scale or local presence of this issue and prefer to be willfully ignorant.
- Cultural Complacency: A reluctance to believe such atrocities happen “here” or the misconception that trafficking involves only foreign victims’ blinds communities to the local children in peril.
- Support for Survivors: The path to recovery for survivors is fraught with challenges. Comprehensive support systems, including mental health services, education, and legal support, are crucial but often under-resourced.
Child sex trafficking in America is a brutal industry built on the despair and exploitation of the most vulnerable. It is a crime where children are not only robbed of their innocence but their futures as well. Addressing this requires not just legal action but a societal shift in awareness, education, and prevention. The reality is stark, and the approach to solving it must match that starkness with unwavering determination, harsh scrutiny of our systems, and an unyielding commitment to protect our children from predators.
This article has tried to present the gravity of child sex trafficking without diminishing its horror through euphemism or political correctness. It’s time for a collective awakening to this national shame, pushing for actions that are as harsh and unforgiving as the crime itself.
For More Information
Thank you for reading my article on child sex trafficking in America. This is a deeply troubling issue that requires awareness, action, and resources to combat effectively. Below are resources and information for those who wish to learn more or contribute to the fight against this heinous crime:
Educational Resources:
- U.S. Department of Justice: Offers comprehensive guides on human trafficking, including statistics, signs, and what to do if you suspect trafficking.www.justice.gov/humantrafficking
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: Provides insights into the scale and nature of trafficking in the U.S.humantraffickinghotline.org
- Polaris Project: Their website includes a wealth of information on human trafficking, including resources for victims, policy work, and how to report trafficking.polarisproject.org
- Shared Hope International: Focuses on ending sex trafficking through prevention, restorative care, and legal advocacy.sharedhope.org
Reporting and Support:
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733 (BeFree) for immediate assistance. This service can connect you with law enforcement, offer advice, and provide support for victims.
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: If you suspect a child is being trafficked or abused, call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
- FBI’s Innocence Lost National Initiative: Focuses on child prostitution and trafficking; you can report directly to the FBI if you have information or need to report a case.www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/human-trafficking
Books and Documentaries:
- “The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking and Slavery in America Today” by Kevin Bales – A detailed look at modern-day slavery and trafficking in the U.S.
- Documentary: “Operation Underground Railroad” – Follows the efforts to rescue children from sex trafficking.
- Netflix Series: “Broken: The Child Sex Trade in America” – Examines the issue through interviews with survivors, investigators, and activists.
How You Can Help:
- Education: Educate yourself and others on recognizing the signs of trafficking. Awareness is the first step to prevention.
- Advocacy: Support legislation aimed at strengthening anti-trafficking laws, funding for victims’ services, and better border security policies.
- Volunteer or Donate: Many organizations need support, whether through donations or volunteering time. Look for local or national NGOs focused on human trafficking.
- Be Vigilant: If you work in sectors like hospitality, transportation, or law enforcement, training to spot trafficking can be crucial.
Stay Informed:
- Follow reputable news sources and organizations dedicated to human rights and child protection for updates on laws, cases, and initiatives.
- Join online forums or local community groups focused on child protection and anti-trafficking efforts.
We encourage you to not only inform yourself but also to engage with these resources, share this knowledge, and consider how you might contribute to ending this form of modern slavery. Remember, every step taken towards awareness and action can make a difference in the life of a child.
Share this post: on Twitter