Human trafficking in the US is staggering & what every parent should know
Bottom Line: If you’re familiar with my work on this topic over the years, you know that it’s one I’m most passionate about and most disturbed regarding the lack of attention it receives. Most recently, during the investigative period of the Orchid's Day Spa case involving Robert Kraft and others, I’d hoped we’d see the appropriate attention focused on the issues of human trafficking in the US and 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 loop holes 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? Here are a few shocking figures for you...
- 300,000 - the number of children at risk of being human trafficked in the US
- 199,000 - the number of children 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 or something 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. And that’s what you, what every parent should know. Our children are at an especially 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. With 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.