January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Odds are, you know somebody sex trafficking has impacted. Minnesota has the third highest number of human trafficking cases in the U.S. annually. The Twin Cities have the 13th highest rate of child prostitution.
Common targets of sex traffickers are abused & homeless children and people with addiction, and mental health issues. 25% of children experiencing houselessness will be sex trafficked.
In October of 2021, WCCO interviewed (below) a former self identified “pimp” about what it is exactly that drives sex traffickers to target teenagers. One of the most notable parts of the interview called on social media for playing a major part in how traffickers are currently operating.
Since children now have personal (and constant) access to the internet, it’s much easier for adults with ill intentions to contact them.
While home might seem like the safest place a teen can be, it can easily become a dangerous environment if a teen has been contacted by a trafficker through social media or gaming. Traffickers often approach children by trying to befriend them, often promising a better life, more happiness, or even just friendship or love.
To a child facing abuse or other emotional hardship at home or school, a stranger on the internet who promises love and safety might feel like their best option.
The COVID pandemic has locked many more young girls (and boys) in toxics homes of traumatic abuse making them more vulnerable to the lies of sophisticated adult pimps promising trust and a better life.
Traffickers focus on creating a deep trauma bond with their victims. They want their victims to be as dependent as possible, convinced that the trafficker is the only one who can care for them.
This makes it much easier to threaten and control vulnerable youth who have no option other than to oblige their abuser. Children who are being contacted by traffickers might start being private or secretive with their phones, only wanting to use them in their rooms or other quiet areas. Parents should be aware of unexplained gifts or major shifts in behavior.
In August of 2021, a Minneapolis man was arrested during a sex trafficking raid in Roseville. The man arrested was responsible for promoting a prostitution ring that was taking place in a Hampton Inn hotel. The women being trafficked were unidentified publicly, however were known to have ties to New York which is also a well known hot spot for sex trafficking.
Minnesota passed the Safe Harbor Law in 2011 which prevents victims of trafficking from being treated as criminals. The Safe Harbor Law provides resources and services for people up to the age of 24 who have been sex trafficked.
This article submitted by KARA writer Sam Foerderer
KARA reports on the issues of child well-being
All Adults Are the Protectors of All Children (thank you Don Shelby)
KARA Signature Video (4 minute)
30 Second KARA video (Don Shelby)
Sources:
https://www.dot.state.mn.us/humantraffickingawareness/
https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Publications/SexTrafficking.asp
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/man-charged-in-sex-trafficking-bust-at-roseville-hotel
#sextrafficking, #childabuse, #Safeharbor, #kara, #statistics