Op-Ed: The direct link between teen runaways and human trafficking

By: Daniel Manning, CEO of USPA Nationwide Security

Human trafficking is a heinous crime that occurs all around the world, including in the United States. It is estimated that there are between 20 and 30 million victims of human trafficking globally, and approximately 25% of them are children. Girls, in particular, are at high risk of becoming victims of sexual trafficking in the United States.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 11,500 reported cases of human trafficking in the United States in 2019. Of those cases, 6,326 were sex trafficking cases, and 5,114 were labor trafficking cases. The majority of the sex trafficking victims were female, and 23% of them were minors.

Kingsman Philanthropic Corp, the nonprofit wing of USPA Nationwide Security, a non-profit organization that works to combat human trafficking, reports that girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual trafficking due to a variety of factors. These factors include poverty, lack of education, homelessness, substance abuse, and history of abuse or neglect. Girls who run away from home or are in foster care are also at higher risk of becoming victims of trafficking.

The U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report 2020 highlights some of the key trends and statistics related to human trafficking in the United States. The report states that sex trafficking remains the most prevalent form of trafficking in the country, and that girls are disproportionately affected. The report also notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on human trafficking, with traffickers exploiting the vulnerabilities created by the pandemic to recruit and exploit victims.

Despite the efforts of law enforcement and advocacy organizations, human trafficking remains a significant problem in the United States. Girls, in particular, are at high risk of becoming victims of sexual trafficking. It is essential that we continue to raise awareness about the issue, educate the public on the signs of trafficking, and provide support and resources for victims. By working together, we can help to put an end to this horrific crime and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

The pipeline from runaway to trafficked

The sad reality is that there is a link between girls who run away from home and become victims of sexual human trafficking. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, approximately one in six endangered runaways reported to them in 2018 were likely victims of sex trafficking.

Girls who run away from home are vulnerable and often lack support systems. They may be escaping abusive homes or seeking independence, but they often end up on the streets with nowhere to go. Traffickers prey on these vulnerable young girls, promising them shelter, food, and love. However, once they are in the trafficker’s control, they are forced into sexual exploitation and often subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

Traffickers use various tactics to control their victims, including physical violence, threats, and manipulation. They often isolate their victims from their families and friends, making it difficult for them to seek help or escape.

It is crucial to raise awareness about the link between girls who run away and sexual human trafficking. Parents, teachers, and community members must educate themselves on the signs of trafficking and how to identify vulnerable children. It is also essential to provide support and resources for girls who may be at risk, such as counseling, housing, and job training.

We must work together to prevent trafficking and provide a safe environment for all children. No child should ever have to experience the horrors of human trafficking.

Nonprofits who work to combat human trafficking:

Kingsman – A nonprofit who funds and performs rescues of women and children who are missing, trafficked and kidnapped.

Polaris Project – A leading organization that works to combat human trafficking and provides assistance to victims.

International Justice Mission – A global organization that works to rescue victims of human trafficking and provide legal assistance.

The A21 Campaign – A nonprofit organization that works to combat human trafficking through education, awareness, and advocacy.

Free the Slaves – A nonprofit organization that works to end slavery and human trafficking through community-based programs.

End Slavery Now – An online resource center that provides information about human trafficking and ways to get involved in the fight against it.

ECPAT-USA – A nonprofit organization that works to end the sexual exploitation of children through advocacy and education.

Love146 – A nonprofit organization that works to end child trafficking and exploitation through prevention, aftercare, and advocacy.

Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) – A nonprofit organization that provides services to survivors of human trafficking and advocates for policy change.

Not For Sale – A nonprofit organization that works to end modern-day slavery and human trafficking through education, advocacy, and business solutions.

Shared Hope International – A nonprofit organization that works to prevent and end sex trafficking through education, policy advocacy, and survivor support.

About the Author: Daniel Manning is the CEO of USPA Nationwide Security. USPA is a security firm, operating on 6 continents with executive protection, event security, fire watch, TSCM and traditional security officers since 2005.