top of page

TRAFFICKING & EXPLOITATION

black concrete background_0.5x.jpg
black concrete background_0.5x.jpg

CHILD TRAFFICKING IS PAID CHILD RAPE.
This page provides essential information on human trafficking, with a focus on child sex trafficking. Learn about the massive scale of the problem, how traffickers operate, signs to identify victims, legal definitions, and resources for reporting and support.

​

The Massive Scale of Trafficking

Human trafficking, especially child sex trafficking, is a widespread crisis. Here are key facts:

  • The USA is the largest buyer of child pornography.

  • Approximately 2,300 children go missing daily in the US.

  • Around 460,000 children go missing yearly in the US.

  • Social media and technology (e.g., sextortion) provide an unlimited conduit for trafficking.

  • Traffickers are often family members or known by the victim.

  • Pedophiles are attempting to decriminalize sex with minors by redefining it as a sexual orientation—known as MAPs (Minor Attracted Persons).

  • California has changed its laws to classify rape as a non-violent crime; other states may follow.​

​

Victims are all around you. Trafficking can happen in any community, and awareness is key to prevention and intervention.

 

How Traffickers Operate

Traffickers use manipulation and control to exploit vulnerable individuals. They:

  • Do not discriminate by age, race, gender, or nationality.

  • Target children who are vulnerable, poor, from broken homes, homeless, or victims of natural disasters.

  • Use charm and extreme kindness to seduce victims.

  • Make false promises of jobs, money, fame, love, and success.​

Once a trafficker has gained the trust of their victim, they take control through:

  • Restricting contact with family and friends.

  • Controlling all forms of identity.

  • Taking finances.

  • Threats of violence against the victim and their family members.

  • Deprivation of basic needs, including food, water, sleep, clothing, and cleanliness.

  • Forced abortions.

  • Threats of law enforcement action and deportation.

  • Forced drug and alcohol use.

​

Signs Someone Is Being Trafficked

Look for these red flags, which may indicate a person is a victim of trafficking:

  • Stops attending school.

  • Exhibits dramatic changes in behavior.

  • Disconnects from family, friends, and routine activities.

  • Sends lewd photos via phone or internet.

  • Appears to be coached on what to say.

  • Acts fearful, submissive, or timid.

  • Shows signs of physical abuse.

  • Is physically unclean.

  • Is unable to partake in general activities.

  • Appears denied food, sleep, and medical care.

​

Legal Definition of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST)

As defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (reauthorized in 2008):
"The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act" where the person is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident under age 18.DMST occurs when minors are forced, coerced, or otherwise involved in the commercial sex industry. Importantly:

  • Trafficking does not require movement.

  • A minor can be trafficked anywhere, at any time, even without leaving their own home.

​

Additional Statistics on Vulnerable Children

According to a 2024 Department of Homeland Security report:

  • During the Biden Administration's open border policy, over 320,000 Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) aged 0-17 were "lost."

  • Congressional testifiers estimate the number is closer to 550,000, and these children are likely victims of labor trafficking, sex trafficking, organ harvesting, or already deceased.

​

Resources for Help and Reporting

If you suspect trafficking or need support, contact these organizations immediately:

​

Hotlines

  • National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (Call) or Text "Help" or "Info" to BeFree (233733).

  • To Report Suspicious Activity: Call 1-866-347-2423 or Email: help@humansurvivorcareservices.org.

  • National Sextortion Hotline: 1-800-225-5324.

  • State of Minnesota BCA Trafficking Hotline: 1-877-996-6222.

​

Organizations and Programs

  • State of Minnesota ACT United: Youth Programs, Forums + Workshops, Resources.
    Website: actunited.org | Call: 952-479-0088.

  • National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE): Education and Resources.
    Website: endsexualexploitation.org | Call: 1-202-393-7245.

  • Association for the Recovery of Children (ARC): Training Courses, ARC Training Certification, and General Areas of Expertise.
    Website: recoveryofchildren.org
    Services: Protective services, Certified Human Trafficking Case Management, Navigating Judicial and Law Enforcement Systems, Networking with appropriate authorities.

  • National Wellspring Living (Atlanta, GA): Girl's Residential Program (ages 12-17), Post-Program Support.
    Website: wellspringliving.org | Call: 1-404-948-4673.

​

For more information or to get involved, visit the websites above or call the hotlines. Reporting can save lives—act if you see something suspicious.

Online Exploitation of Children: Emerging Digital Threats

 

This section addresses modern forms of online child exploitation, including technology-facilitated abuse. It complements the information on Child Trafficking by highlighting how predators use digital tools, AI, and platforms to target and harm minors. These threats are rapidly evolving and require immediate awareness, prevention, and reporting.

Children are increasingly at risk online. Predators exploit technology to groom, manipulate, extort, and abuse youth. Key emerging threats include deepfakes, catfishing, sextortion, harmful algorithms, and violent networks like 764.

 

Deepfakes (AI-Generated or Manipulated Exploitative Content)

From Thorn.org: As AI advances, it's misused to create sexually exploitative images of minors, including "deepfake nudes"—AI-generated or manipulated explicit images.

  • Recent Thorn research (2025) shows deepfake nudes are a real and growing concern.

  • 1 in 17 teens reported having deepfake nudes created of them.

  • 1 in 8 teens know someone targeted by deepfake nudes.

  • 31% of teens are familiar with the term "deepfake nudes."

  • Many young people view them as harmful, citing emotional distress, reputational damage, and deception.

 

This represents a crisis in nonconsensual sexual abuse facilitated by technology.

 

Catfishing

Catfishing occurs when a predator creates a fake online profile—often posing as a teen—to lure vulnerable youth into conversations. Profiles are designed to appeal to the targeted child, building false trust for exploitation.

 

Sextortion

From Thorn.org: Sextortion (sexual extortion) involves using someone's sexual imagery to blackmail or threaten them into unwanted actions, such as sending more images, maintaining contact, or paying money.

  • Perpetrators include online strangers and former partners.

  • Threats escalate rapidly, often within hours of first contact.

  • Financial demands have surged, especially against teenage boys.

  • A groundbreaking Thorn/NCMEC study found an average of 812 sextortion reports weekly to NCMEC, with more than two-thirds involving financial demands.

  • Majority of victims: boys aged 14-17, often tricked into sharing images after receiving intimate content from the perpetrator.

  • Impacts: Hopelessness, fear, anxiety, depression, bullying; 1 in 3 youth victims engaged in self-harm or attempted suicide.

  • Age/gender do not reduce severity of outcomes.

  • Among 9-12 year olds in recent data, 98% of sextortion victims were boys.

  • 45% said contact continued after blocking; 68% reported more frequent threats after complying.

  • FBI: Sextortion is the fastest-growing online threat to teens.

Additional stats:

  • 1 in 3 teens have seen non-consensually shared nude photos.

  • 1 in 4 kids asked for nude photos at least monthly.

  • 1 in 7 have shared their own nude photo (up from 1 in 20 in 2019); 1 in 3 never told anyone.

  • 62% of teens say they'd tell a parent; only 34% actually do.

 

Algorithms and Platform Risks

Predators use AI to analyze children's online activities, patterns, and data to tailor grooming.

  • Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have been reported (Wall Street Journal, 2023) to use algorithms that connect buyers and sellers of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

  • Viewing one account in a criminal network can trigger "suggested for you" recommendations, flooding feeds with child sexualization content.

 

764 Network

From the Department of Justice: 764 is a network of nihilistic violent extremists operating in the US and abroad. They aim to destroy society through corruption and exploitation of vulnerable people, especially minors.

  • They lure children into private online groups, groom them, and coerce acts of violence against pets/people—recording and sharing videos.

  • Goals include social unrest and societal downfall.

  • 764 serves as an umbrella for related networks promoting extreme harm.

 

Why This Matters

These threats exploit trust, technology, and vulnerability—often leading to severe trauma, self-harm, or worse. Many victims suffer in silence due to shame or fear.

Protect children: Monitor online activity, educate about risks, promote open communication, and report suspicions immediately.

 

Resources for Help and Reporting

  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline: Report online exploitation at missingkids.org or 1-800-THE-LOST.

  • National Human Trafficking Hotline (for related cases): 1-888-373-7888 or text "Help" to BeFree (233733).

  • FBI Tips: tips.fbi.gov (for sextortion, 764, or threats).

  • Thorn.org: Resources on deepfakes, sextortion, and youth safety.

  • Know2Protect (DHS): Campaign against online child exploitation.

If you suspect a child is being exploited online, report it—your action could save a life. Stay vigilant; these threats evolve quickly. For more, visit thorn.org, missingkids.org, or justice.gov.

bottom of page