TEENS TARGETED

Teens are victims of human sex trafficking which is a lucrative criminal activity. Sex trafficking is a billion-dollar illegal and criminal industry. Eradicating sex trafficking in one place, it seems to crop up in another location. That's why, we must stay vigilant. 

What happened? Why is this on my mind?

Recently, a post about a missing teen in our area was upsetting and disturbing. It's too close to home! Besides, the mother's heartbreaking request for help reminded me of a news story where the parents had to hire a private investigator to find their daughter, who disappeared last year, at a Dallas Mavericks basketball game. That story ended with the teen being found in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

If the missing person is a teen, the police consider them a runaway which is so outrageous. The police arbitrarily tell the parents that the teen is a runaway. Therefore, no "Amber Alert" is broadcast. The police department's attitude obviously enables and helps the criminals. Since the police consider the matter to be a runaway, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the criminals know the police department's M.O. (modus operandi) which gives the sex traffickers of teens a window of opportunity. Why is this acceptable?

When a teen is kidnapped, abducted, and enslaved into human sex trafficking, a crime has been committed. Kidnapping isn't a misdemeanor, it is a felony. While it is a felony, each state within our country has its own laws regarding the level and punishment.

Was wondering. Is teen sex trafficking considered a human rights crime?

While the teen is not a participant, they are a victim. However, there are cases where victims have been prosecuted and received jail sentences that are unfathomable.

In regard to sex trafficking, there are a number of myths. For example, the clients would be persons unknown to me which is a myth. The second myth, it happens in poor seedy high-crime neighborhoods. The third myth, it's an after-dark evening crime. The fourth myth, only uneducated teen girls are involved. The fifth myth, it wouldn't be an issue in our neighborhood or family. As for the sixth myth, there's nothing a person can do about the sex trafficking of teens.

Surprisingly and amazingly, the clients could be your friend, neighbor, or pastor. According to a sting operation and news reports, businessmen, coaches, pastors, and teachers were identified as clients.

Since sex trafficking clientele wants to feel safe, the medium to well-to-do neighborhoods is where the illegal activities are taking place. This is exactly the opposite of the myth, that it takes place in high-crime areas in the evenings. In reality, the crime occurs in the mornings and afternoons in medium-income to well-heeled areas of the community.

Sadly, beautiful and smart teens are abducted, beaten, kidnapped, and exploited in illegal sex trafficking. In most cases, they are powerless to escape their nightmarish situation. The teens are strictly ruled, often beaten, and heavily guarded.

Teens taken from schools, sporting events, or walking in their neighborhoods. Abductions can happen anywhere and anytime. It's not in some seedy poor high-crime neighborhood. Tragically, it affects all neighborhoods.

As a matter of fact, you can do something. If you see or suspect sex trafficking of teens, please do not confront them. Do not put yourself in a dangerous situation. It's best that you report suspected human trafficking by calling Federal law enforcement at 1-866-247-2322.

Or, you can call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

As for the teen, who recently went missing, the Texas Counter Trafficking initiative helped. The teen was found and was hospitalized.

Remaining vigilant, your help is requested. With your help, we can stop the sex trafficking of teens.