By Barbara Gobbi
When many hear about “sex-trafficking,” thoughts of slums in Asia or South America come to mind. But would anyone think South Florida would be a location where children are taken by pimps and sold for sex?Did we took any measures to stop sexual crimes? It is our duty to seek attorney’s help against sexual crimes claims to protect the children and to safeguard their right to life with dignity.
I recently sat down with Linda Krieg, Acting CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Linda was the keynote speaker at the Rotary International District Assembly to announce the local initiative, Rotarians for Hope, to help prevent, protect and provide resources to children who are victims of sex trafficking.
BG: How big of a problem is sex trafficking here?
LK: Last year there were almost 467,000 entries for missing children under the age of 18 into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, NCIC. Florida is one of the top 2 states for runaways, with 4,000 reports in 2014 from Florida and Illinois alone. One in seven endangered runaways reported to NCMEC were likely sex trafficking victims
BG: Who are the most vulnerable victims of sex trafficking?
LK: Most of the children recruited by pimps are runaways or from foster care and group homes. These pimps target children at schools, malls, online, and even by hanging outside of foster homes, giving them false promises of love and gifts. Victims can be as young as 12-14 years old, with the average age being 15 ½. They are then sold for sex on websites, such as www.Backpage.com.
BG: What is being done to address this problem?
LK: Congress recently passed a law that all children that go missing need to be entered in the FBI’s NCIC within 2 hours. Task forces have been established with the FBI and State and Local Law Enforcement agencies. In 2014, FBI conducted a nation-wide sweep in 106 cities called “Operation Cross Country.” In 1 day, 168 children were rescued and they arrested 281 pimps.
BG: What can concerned parents and citizens do?
LK: Awareness is the most important thing. This is not prostitution; it’s rape. Many children who go missing are not reported. If you see something unusual, report it to your local authorities or call the Cyber Tipline at (800) 843-5678. You can learn more about what to look for and how to help in your community at www.MissingKids.org.
Rotarians for Hope is an initiative with Rotary International and NCMEC to support the bridge to recovery for child victims of sex trafficking in their own communities and across the globe. More information about this program can be found at www.RotaryNow.org.
Linda Krieg – CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
