Equipped with a full understanding of the problem, Untrafficked’s® unique solution addresses every angle, from rescue to complete rehabilitation.
Human trafficking occurs when a trafficker exploits an individual with force, fraud, or coercion to make them perform commercial sex or work. This form of modern-day slavery is a serious crime with devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities.
Sex trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act.”
– National Center for Child Exploitation
Sex trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to make an adult engage in commercial sex acts. However, any commercial sexual activity with a minor, even without force, fraud, or coercion, is considered trafficking.
The consequences of sex trafficking are similar to the consequences of sexual violence. Consequences can be immediate and long-term including physical and relationship problems, psychological concerns, and negative chronic health outcomes.
Untrafficked works to rescue children 18 and under who are victims of sex trafficking and then to help them heal and reclaim their future. Our Guardian Program will train you on how to protect your children and combat these predators before they ever have a chance to reach them.
Grooming happens when an adult draws close to a child and forms a relationship with them, filling a need in their life so they can eventually take advantage of them. It typically happens over time and ultimately ends with targeted children being exploited through sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or trafficking.
Grooming happens both in person and online. When it happens online, predators will contact many children at once and hide their identity, posing as someone younger to try and befriend your child. In fact, when child sexual abuse occurs, it is usually done by someone the child knows and is rarely done by a stranger.
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), of the sexual abuse cases reported to law enforcement, 93% of juvenile victims knew the perpetrator. Of this percentage, 59% of perpetrators were acquaintances and 34% were family members.
Perpetrators are often “familiar” to a child victim, and are trusted individuals like family friends, neighbors, teachers, faith leaders, coaches, and family members. Over time, the groomer builds trust and then gradually normalizes sexual and intimate conversation to make it acceptable to take actions they normally would not.
Our Guardian Alliance reveals the grooming tactics that predators often use to target and prey on children. You’ll learn how to protect your children and others and stop predators before they can hurt another child.
For our Untrafficked survivors, this is the path their story takes.
A predator will first befriend
and gain the trust of a child.
A predator will then use that
trust to abduct them.
A concerned person will report a tip about the
child to Untrafficked and we will immediately
alert authorities and our own response team.
In partnership with authorities, we will
investigate the tip and speak with the
victim’s family.
Untrafficked will use its resources to coordinate
and help plan the rescue of the child.
We will then work with authorities to
rescue the child and any other children
we are able to recover.
In our aftercare program, survivors will
receive the essential counseling they need.
We will also offer counseling to the
victim’s family to help them heal along
with their child.
Survivors will then receive training and
rehabilitation services to reclaim their
freedom and restore their life.
JOIN THE FIGHT – Many survivors, their families, and concerned people like you become a Guardian and join our efforts to untraffick America.
“When I was six years old. I was trafficked …” – Ana
Ana left Mexico to come to the U.S. with her family when she was six. They didn’t realize that their pursuit of the American dream would turn into a nightmare when Ana’s parents were deceived by traffickers.
Ana has made the courageous decision to share her story publicly – for the first time.
For many survivors, the ability to share their stories is an incredible way to heal.
We’d like to create more.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Untrafficked today to help us produce more of these stories of victory over domestic child sex trafficking.
