Over the past day, disturbing markings such as “HELP” found on Google Maps in LA went viral, sparking fears of human trafficking in the area. While the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed there is no legitimate threat, and the images are over a year old, the incident highlights a critical truth: human trafficking is a present and pervasive issue.
Although this incidence in LA proved to be unfounded, it raises the importance of learning as much as possible about human trafficking, as it’s happening every single day all over the world, in all 50 U.S. states, and even in our own neighborhoods. LA is one of the U.S. cities with the highest incidence of trafficking, and nearly one in 10 individuals experiencing homelessness report being victims of sex or labor trafficking. Globally, nearly 50 million people are trapped in modern-day slavery, and 12 million are children.
At Our Rescue, we are committed to fighting this heinous crime, and the first step is education toward prevention. Spotting the signs of sex trafficking in adults and youth enables everyone to be part of the solution by identifying and reporting suspicious activity.
In addition to education, we champion law enforcement’s efforts by providing tools, training, and resources so they can effectively vet potential threats, identify perpetrators, and remove survivors from harm. We also provide trauma-informed care for survivors and empower them on their path to recovery as well as education toward prevention.
We can’t fight this battle alone. Everyone has a role to play. Contact your local authorities if you see something suspicious and join people all over the world by taking the Join the Fight Pledge to stand against sex trafficking and child exploitation.
– Tammy Lee, Our Rescue CEO