Business & Tech

2013 State Ratings for Human Trafficking

There are more individuals in slavery today than at the height of the trans-atlantic slave trade.

by Kelly Twedell

The Polaris Project just posted their 2013 state ratings for human trafficking. Compare which states are forging ahead with awareness and services for victims.

Would it surprise you to know that there are an estimated 100,000 children in the sex trade in the United States each year?

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. As defined under U.S. federal law, victims of human trafficking include children involved in the sex trade, adults age 18 or over who are coerced or deceived into commercial sex acts, and anyone forced into different forms of "labor or services," such as domestic workers held in a home, or farm-workers forced to labor against their will.

Organization heads and advocates in Fayetteville collaborated at a meeting yesterday held at the Department of Social Services to find out what is being done and what services are lacking in our community for victims of this egregious crime. Due to the dark nature of this crime and the U.S. consumers, sex trafficking often seems to fly under the radar.

Human Trafficking is an issue that is gaining exposure, much like domestic violence in the late 1970s. Celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore along with some politicians have taken part in awareness campaigns, to take a stand against this dark topic.

A human trafficking symposium is scheduled on Sept. 12-13 in Raleigh, N.C. presented by the three U.S. Attorney's Offices in N.C. Looking to get informed on the topic? Check out the Polaris Project's website and seek out local organizations in your community to volunteer.

Polaris Project is a non-profit based out of Washington D.C. and is named after the North Star that guided slaves toward freedom along the Underground Railroad. 


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