Causecast

by SARAH NELSON, Contributing Writer

We know that human trafficking is still a major issue around the world, but we tend to forget it’s a problem in our own backyards. Human trafficking, particularly child prostitution, is a major issue in the United States, and chances are it’s happening in your city.

This week, Federal agents arrested more than 700 individuals in a nationwide effort to crackdown on child prostitution in the U.S. So far, Operation Cross Country has led to the rescue of nearly one-thousand exploited children and the conviction of 510 pimps and their associates. Following the raid, Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer said, “It is repugnant that children in these times could be subjected to the great pain, suffering and indignity of being forced into sexual slavery for someone else’s profit.” Breuer added that this week’s successful assault on the industry shows that “the scourge of child prostitution still exists on the streets of our cities.”

The most recent bust resulted in the rescue of fifty-two children in 36 different cities across the country. Most of the children rescued were girls who, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, fall victim to traffickers when they are around the age of 12, the age of your average pre-teen seventh grader.

Experts believe that there are as many as 200,000 children involved in prostitution in the U.S. and that active trafficking rings are present in all 50 states. Worldwide, human trafficking victimizes more than 27 million individuals. That’s nearly 75 percent of California’s population.

Yes, it’s maddening that people would abuse children in the most unthinkable way, but there is a lot we can do to put an end to human trafficking, both in the U.S. and abroad. The first thing we need to do is stop ignoring the issue. It happens here. It’s true. Sadly, child prostitution is an issue in most parts of the world. There are a number of organizations that exist to fight against human-trafficking, including child prostitution, and raise awareness to the issue. Here’s the breakdown:

• Abolish Slavery Coalition: dedicated to combating human trafficking and restoring dignity to victims. We organize and coordinate investigations and field operations to find, identify, and retrieve men, women, and children from slavery, providing for their safe aftercare and rehabilitation.

• In the U.S., Children of the Night, a non-profit founded in the 1970s, which provides opportunities for volunteers to be part of the fight against child prostitution in Southern California.

Take part in International Justice Mission’s Weekend to End Slavery coming November 14-15. Watch the film The End of Slavery. Host a house party. Talk about the film. Find a way to get involved.

Tell your Congressional representatives to support H.R. 1623, a bill that would restrict convicted sex traffickers’ international travel, making them unable to continue trafficking children into the country.

If you ever suspect child prostitution is going on in your community, contact the National Center for Mission and Exploited Children. If you’re an iPhone user download the App for up-to-date info on missing and exploited children.

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography, flickr.