Vision Abolition recognizes that the United States government alone cannot combat the immense problem of sexual exploitation and forced prostitution of women and children. Slavery of women and children into forced into prostitution has no ideological, social, religious or political borders. Our mission is to rescue these women and children from these situations and give them a safe haven in which to regain their feelings of self worth and purpose.
The Issue
In America, the current average age of children forced into prostitution is 13 years old, according to the Maricopa County Arizona Attorney's Office. In 2000 the average age was 15 years old. The average age is decreasing and the problem is worsening.
"Child prostitution has become and is a growing epidemic in the state of Arizona and the city of Phoenix - and has become one of the Phoenix Police Department's highest priorities," Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris said in "The Reality Book", published by past Phoenix Arizona Councilwoman Peggy Bilstein's office.
Phoenix Police Sergeant Chris Bray of the Vice Squad was quoted in Bilstein's book as saying "here in Phoenix the Vice Squad uses 40 percent of its efforts in combating juvenile prostitution. It is very time consuming and labor intensive for law enforcement."
Frank Farley of the FBI has indicated that there are between 15,000 and 18,000 persons trafficked annually into the United States, according to the "Greater Phoenix Arizona Area Human Trafficking Task Force Training". After drug trafficking, human trafficking is tied with arms trafficking as the most lucrative business for organized crime. Unlike drugs and arms traffickers, human traffickers can continue to exploit their victims after the initial point of sale. Human trafficking is becoming a preferred business for criminal syndicates around the world because it is a low risk to the trafficker with penalties usually being less severe than for drugs or guns.
With all of the above and more, Vision Abolition believes that Phoenix Arizona is an ideal market to combat the Child Prostitution through Prevention, Education and Awareness, and Recovery and Restoration of those affected.
