Silvia was a victim of human trafficking. She is a 19 year female who recently graduated from high school. Young and enjoying a good job and new apartment. Attending the local community college is giving her hope and plans for a bright future. Her schedule is hectic. Trying to balance college and work has proved taxing to say the least. As she rushes through the day Silvia has forgotten a few simple personal protection concepts.
Silvia was running late for school when she stopped at the store to buy several needed items. As she walked out of the store her hands were full. Her cell phone rang and as she walked to her car, preoccupied and rushed, several signs of danger were ignored.
Don’t Forget To Recognize Threats
First, she did not scan the parking lot, looking for signs of possible threats. Next, as Silvia approached her car she failed to notice the van parked next to her and that van engine was running. She was still engaged in conversation on the phone when she walked up to her car. Since she had not retrieved her keys from her purse before leaving the store, she is searching for them now. Silvia is delayed in entering her car, giving the men in the van time to slide the door open and pull her inside and drive away.
Silvia is now one of over 20 million people worldwide that have been abducted by human traffickers, a multi-billion dollar criminal industry. She is sold and will endure torture and commercial sex slavery over the next several years. The men that abducted her left no fingerprints or DNA. There was very little for the police to go on.
Polaris Is Helping With The Fight Against Trafficking
According to Polaris (a nonprofit organization who fights to eradicate slavery worldwide) 75% of the victims are women or girls in a $150 billion crime industry. It is estimated that 1 out of 6 runaways reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were likely child sex trafficking victims. 86% of these children were in the care of social services or foster care when they ran away.
Signs To Recognize
You can help put an end to this terrible crime by leaning how to recognize the victims of human trafficking. Here are a few signs to be aware of.
-If asked a question does someone answer for them?
-Do they appear frightened, submissive, anxious, depressed or nervous?
-Are they dressed appropriately?
-Do they make eye contact?
-Do they have any personal possessions?
-Do they appear malnourished?
-Do they have physical signs of torture or injuries?
-Do they have control over their ID and money?
-Are their signs of restraint such abrasions or cuts on wrists or ankles?
This is just a partial list of sign that you may observe. These may help you question the situation an individual may be in. Under no means should you take it upon yourself to intervene. If you see enough that warrants concern, call the authorities or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1(888) 373-7888. 1 (888) 373-7888
The name has been changed to protect the individual and her family.
“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
Revelations 18:11-13
Leave a Reply