John,

As you read this, millions of women, men and children around the world are subject to being trafficked. To address this evil injustice, it helps to define and know exactly what it is.  

The  federal  Trafficking Victims Protection Act  defines  human trafficking  as: 

1. The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act where such an act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age, or 

2. The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. 

Human trafficking is a problem everywhere, including the United States. Including your neighborhood. 

We’re talking about U.S. kids, under the age of 18, being bought and sold for sex. This is called Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). 

The age of the victim is the critical issue — under federal law, there is no requirement to prove that force, fraud, or coercion was used to cause the minor to engage in commercial sex. The law recognizes the effect of psychological manipulation by the trafficker, as well as the effect of threat of harm which traffickers/pimps use to maintain control over their young victims. 

But cultural bias continues to influence access to justice and services for minor victims. Under the leadership of the Shared Hope Institute for Justice and Advocacy, we are working to address domestic minor sex trafficking and end this injustice once and for all. And there is no time like today to JOIN US in our efforts.          

                                             

Learn: Download our smartphone-friendly Warning Signs Poster to keep as a quick reference guide.

Advocate:  See laws change in your state. January is the beginning of legislative sessions in states all over the nation. Now is the time to contact your legislators and have your voice heard through our Advocacy Action Center. We make it quick and easy to participate by providing pre-written emails and tweets addressing any pending campaigns and legislation in your state.  

Volunteer: Receive comprehensive training and join a team of volunteers raising awareness and providing prevention education all across the nation. Connect with other volunteer Ambassadors of Hope and work together to help make our communities safer for children. 

Give: Empower Shared Hope’s work to prevent the conditions that foster sex trafficking, restore and empower survivors, and bring justice to victims with a gift. 
 

 

Help us make freedom a priority this Human Trafficking Awareness Month. 

Together, we can win this battle!     

Marissa Gunther
Director of Growth Strategies
Shared Hope International