Know The Facts
KNOW THE FACTS:
- Human Trafficking is the fastest growing and second largest criminal enterprise in the world. Annually, Human Trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide. It is a global issue that impacts every community in every country. According to National Hotline data, in 2019 there were 22,326 victims and survivors identified in the U.S. In 2019, Pennsylvania ranked 4th nationwide in human trafficking prosecutions. Human Trafficking is notoriously under reported. Shocking as these numbers are, they are likely only a fraction of the actual problem.
- Victims come from all demographics and all communities. Youth are particularly vulnerable and often trafficked for sex as young as 9-13 years of age.
- What is Human Trafficking? The United Nations definition is broken down into three essential elements:
- The acquisition of a person
- By means of deception or coercion
- For the purpose of exploitation
- Human trafficking is our modern-day version of slavery. The US Department of Homeland Security considers victims to be “forced”, “frauded” or “coerced” into providing labor, services, sham relationships, and criminal activity.