Child Trafficking

In my previous post, “Sexual Terrorism”, we briefly touched on the increased risk of exploitation faced by children in the foster care system. Today, we will delve a little deeper into these risks and the long term consequences these children are left to navigate alone. Through research and survivor lived experience, we know children who are marginalized by society and lack strong support networks are frequently targeted by these masters of manipulation. One would think intimidation tactics were the primary way traffickers and buyers prey on the vulnerable, but promises of love and support, money, food and a place to stay are frequently used tactics as well.

Gang-Controlled Trafficking

Gang controlled trafficking is not in the forefront of our minds when considering child trafficking, but it should be because that is exactly what it is. While young girls do join gangs, young boys are disproportionately affected in this example of trafficking. The average age of children being exploited by gangs is 15, but they begin being exposed between 11-14 years old with 2 out of every 5 gang members being under the age of 18. Poverty, parent-child separation and community disorganization are just a few of the many risk factors that affect a child’s chance for gang involvement. Children in the foster care system are also at an increased risk.

Adult members entice children to join with promises of protection, money and a sense of belonging that may be missing in their home life; essentially manipulating them into committing violence and selling and/or using drugs. Involvement with a gang also leads to age-inappropriate sexual behavior, incarceration, and increased likelihood of economic hardship and family problems in adulthood. Children born into these violent cycles continue them more often than not. There is an estimated 1 million juvenile gang members in the United States, and according to the Chicago Crime Commission, Chicago has more gang members than any other city in the world with a reported population of 150,000.

Child Sex Trafficking

According to the National Foster Youth Institute, a grassroots movement aiming to transform the child welfare system, an estimated 60% of child sex trafficking victims were sourced from the foster care system. Youth experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ+ and those with mental health challenges are at extreme risk. A child is trafficked to be sexually exploited every 2 minutes in the United States and only 1% of victims are ever rescued. While this information is appalling, it shouldn’t surprise anyone seeing as the United States ranks as one of the worst countries in the world for human trafficking. Houston, TX, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Washington D.C and Chicago, IL are among the top U.S cities with the most cases of trafficking.

The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, which requires state authorities to screen missing children after they’ve been found, to help determine if they were sexually exploited, was enacted in September 2014. Despite this, a federal audit determined some states are failing to do so. Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas reported the most missing children, but the audit shows no evidence of a screening in 65% of the case files of returned children in those states. These numbers have been slowly improving since 2014, but states still “lose track” of thousands of foster children each year.

Familial, Pimp-Controlled and Buyer-Perpetrated fall under the “Child Sex Trafficking” umbrella as well. An example of Familial and Pimp-Controlled Trafficking is the case of survivor and advocate, T Ortiz. Ortiz was first trafficked by her birth mother at 5 years old, was moved through a multitude of foster homes, and at 10 years old she met a 25 year old barber at a bus stop next to his place of employment. This man began buying Ortiz meals, giving her attention, befriending and gaining her trust. This quickly lead to him taking explicit photos of her to post online, and selling her on the street. Ortiz was trafficked, in state custody, around California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada until she was 17.

Child Abuse & Neglect

There were 4.2 Million cases of child maltreatment and 7.5 Million cases of child abuse reported in 2022 alone. 5 children die every day from child abuse and 81.8% of total child fatalities involve at least one parent. The strong correlation between child maltreatment and parental substance abuse have irrevocable, long lasting effects that cannot be ignored. This particular topic hits home hard for me, as I’m sure it does for a lot of you. While I have grown immensely and am committed to doing the work to heal, there is still a heartbroken little girl living inside of me. There probably always will be. The fierce, protective woman that I have become was forged in the fire of grief and despair. I am proud of her!

Did you know that 80% of 21 year olds abused as children met the criteria for at least one physiological disorder? Abused children are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors and 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy. The cycle of abuse is often unconsciously repeated and a great deal of self reflection, accountability and change is required to break the cycle. The risk of premature death as an adult is also increased in adults who have suffered abuse. 2.6 times higher risk in those having suffered sexual abuse, and 1.7 times higher risk is those who suffered physical abuse.

Have You Seen Me?

Please consider investing in a child-id kit like Who-I-Am. Each kit Includes 5 individual kits, comprehensive information and fingerprint card, non-toxic ink strip, DNA storage bag with two sterile cotton-tipped swabs, safety tips card, premium 6-mil resealable storage sleeve, and complete instructions.

AirTag shoe inserts are also a fantastic option to ensure you are able to track ones location should they go missing.

Going forward, posts will include a photo and brief summary of a missing person obtained from The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, reader submissions and/or other sources.

Adrianna Garcia: 15-year-old Adrianna went missing from her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Dec. 29, 2004. 

Adrianna’s sister, Annah Hamm, still remembers the last day she saw her little sister. It was Annah’s final weekend in their hometown before moving to Oklahoma City. Annah recalls that according to their mom, Adrianna asked if she could be dropped off at a friend’s house a few miles away for a sleepover. Their mom was unable to take her, so Adrianna decided to walk. 

When Adrianna did not return home the next morning, her family immediately sensed something was wrong. It turned out, Adrianna never made it to her friend’s house, prompting her family to immediately report her missing to local law enforcement. The circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s disappearance are still a mystery, but her family remains committed to finding answers to the nearly 20-year-old question: What happened to Adrianna?

If you have any information about Adrianna or her disappearance, please call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 or the Creek County Sheriff’s Office (Oklahoma) at 1-918-224-4964.

Missing child clearinghouses are organizations providing resources for missing children, their families and the professionals who serve them. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children maintains a liaison with each missing child clearinghouse and helps ensure they are familiar with the many resources available through NCMEC. NCMEC provides missing child clearinghouses with training, technical assistance and vital information and other resources to help them with missing child cases.