Our Kids Are Not For Sale

Child sex-trafficking is happening right here in our own neighborhoods. In Florida and across the United States…something very dangerous, very wrong is happening, and it involves our children and youth. Child sex trafficking – the very phrase makes people tend to look the other way and believe their children could never be victimized by such crimes. Yet these crimes are happening in our own communities and to our own children. Our kids are not for sale – and the more we understand this world of child sex trafficking, the better we can prevent it. Here are the facts:

Here are a few important facts to keep in mind about child sex trafficking:

• Up to 300,000 American children are lured into the commercial sex trade every year.
• The average age a child is trafficked is just 11 years old.
• 90% of child sex traffic victims have a sexual abuse history.

With these alarming statistics, where do we begin in the battle to keep our children safe from trafficking?  Since 90% of child sex traffic victims have a sexual abuse history, doesn’t it make sense that we safeguard all children with education and knowledge at an early age so they never become abuse victims in the first place?

Prevention education is key. Children are educated about fire safety, and pool safety.  They learn to call 911 in emergencies. They are taught about stranger danger. But what are we teaching them about adults and possibly their own peers in their lives who may intend to harm them? Often, we teach them to trust and obey the very adults and peers who end up abusing or exploiting them.

Read full article from KidSafe Foundation: http://www.kidsafefoundation.org/our-kids-are-not-for-sale/