Human Trafficking in North Dakota: Sex Trafficking is Here
If you think we are somehow insulated from human/sex
trafficking in North Dakota—think again.
While it is hard to get concrete numbers on the underground world of
human trafficking, it is accurate to say “there is no community in the state
safe from it”. And as such, young teen
girls are the primary target. It is
estimated as many as 100,000 missing children have been forced into prostitution
each year in the US.
Check internet sites and you will find 30-50 new postings
daily offering services of prostitution, and that’s just for one city in North
Dakota. While we may think the
prostitution business may be only thriving in northwest North Dakota, it covers
the entire state. And with the huge
influence of the multi-billion dollar pornography industry on the internet—the
US trafficking industry has grown to $9.8 billion. Why should we be surprised that the high
demand for these young girls would result in the highly competitive, solicit at
any cost, illegal practice of acquiring a stable of captives? And they are captives.
Federal law criminalizes human trafficking, and in 2009
North Dakota added language to the ND Century Code. Since then the prevalence of sex trafficking
has increased and we need to respond.
The North Dakota Family Alliance is partnering with the newly formed
Voice for the Captives and other Christian groups—to fight this inhuman
atrocity.
Trafficking involves force, fraud, coercion, enticement,
harboring, transporting, and promotion of these held captives. It is a dark industry affecting the most
vulnerable among us. Small-time” pimps
dominate the trafficking industry—it is important to be able to identify who “they”
are. It may be that new 24 year old,
smooth talking young man showing up in the community; it may be a friend of the
family, or even a family member.
A fifteen year old girl working as a waitress is promised
10 times her wages and tips, and at the beginning all seems innocent
enough. But before she knows it she is
full of guilt and shame and she is beholden emotionally, financially, and
sometimes even physically. It seems
impossible to break free—it seems as if there is nowhere to turn. All seems hopeless. Ironically, the only security seems to rest
in the one holding her captive.
We need to step up.
We need to be that security that restores the hope. What can we do? First, we need to raise the level of
awareness, and then train teachers, law enforcement, counselors, parents, church staff, and
children how to recognize the tactics of the trafficker. We need to prevent trafficking.
Next we need to rescue those held in captivity. We need to provide a safe transition out of
their bondage, addressing their needs emotionally, physically, financially, and
spiritually. Some of this may need
legislative action, but much can be addressed by our churches and civic
organizations.
And finally, we need to prosecute those guilty of these
barbaric actions. We need to provide law
enforcement with the resources to identify the traffickers and bring them to
justice.
NDFA, along with coalition members including Voice for
the Captives will meet with the Superintendent of Public Instruction to discuss
informing parents and students, and then meet with the Attorney General
regarding enforcement.
For more information or an opportunity to become
involved, please contact Lisa at Atonement Lutheran Church with the Voice for
the Captives at 1-701-237-9651 or Carly with the North Dakota Family Alliance.
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