Despite its apparent affluence, the United States is as vulnerable to sex trafficking as any third world country. Stringent laws are not always enough to protect the women and children who are at risk.
- Between 100,000 and 300,000 children in America are at risk for sex trafficking each year. ~ 2006 Mid-Term Review on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in America, Shared Hope International
- In the U.S., the sale of child pornography is a $3 billion annual industry; 55% of child pornography on the Internet comes from the U.S. ~ 2006 Mid-Term Review on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in America
- “The sad reality is that the creation of child pornography is largely driven by American citizens,” says Linda Smith ~ Social Work Today website
- As many as 2.8 million children live on the streets, a third of whom are lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. ~ 2006 Mid-Term Review on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in America
- Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 victims are trafficked across international borders annually, and between 14,500 and 17,500 of those victims are trafficked into the United States each year. More than half of these vistims worldwide are children! ~ Child Victims of Human Trafficking, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and The U.S. Department of State
- “The average age of a prostitute in Phoenix is 13 years old. Child prostitution is a very serious issue in the State of Arizona.” ~ Former City of Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten
- “Three domestic minor sex trafficking victims interviewed were sold 10-15 times PER NIGHT, 6 DAYS per week, totaling between 9360 and 14,040 sex acts in a year. Over 18 months, 207 children were arrested for soliciting prostitution in Las Vegas. If they ALSO were sold for 10-15 sex acts per night for a year, buyers purchased between 645,840 and 968,760 sex acts from CHILDREN.” ~ 2006 Mid-Term Review on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in America, Shared Hope International
- Girls as young as 11 through 14 years were kidnapped and enslaved into street and brothel prostitution, Karaoke bars, and strip clubs by sex gangs in California. ~ Renew America Website
