What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological. Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used.
Victims can be found in legal and illegal labor industries, including child care, elder care, the drug trade, massage parlors, nail and hair salons, restaurants, hotels, factories, and farms. In some cases, victims are hidden behind doors in domestic servitude in a home. Others are in plain view, interact with people on a daily basis, and are forced to work under extreme circumstances in exotic dance clubs, factories, or restaurants. Victims can be exploited for commercial sex in numerous contexts, including on the street, in illicit massage parlors, cantinas, brothels, or through escort services and online advertising. Trafficking situations can be found across the United States.
Victims can be found in legal and illegal labor industries, including child care, elder care, the drug trade, massage parlors, nail and hair salons, restaurants, hotels, factories, and farms. In some cases, victims are hidden behind doors in domestic servitude in a home. Others are in plain view, interact with people on a daily basis, and are forced to work under extreme circumstances in exotic dance clubs, factories, or restaurants. Victims can be exploited for commercial sex in numerous contexts, including on the street, in illicit massage parlors, cantinas, brothels, or through escort services and online advertising. Trafficking situations can be found across the United States.
2024 Statistics
In 2024, NCMEC received over 27,800 reports of possible child sex trafficking. More than 29,000 missing children reported to NCMEC, 1 in 7 were likely victims of child sex trafficking.
NCMEC received 23,160 reports of children missing from care in 2024 of which 94% were children
who ran away.
18% of the children reported missing to NCMEC in 2024 who left from the care of child welfare
were likely victims of child sex trafficking.
NCMEC received 23,160 reports of children missing from care in 2024 of which 94% were children
who ran away.
18% of the children reported missing to NCMEC in 2024 who left from the care of child welfare
were likely victims of child sex trafficking.
West Virginia K9 Search and Rescue, Inc is a community education partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Through partnering with NCMEC, we can provide crucial prevention and safety programming, provide services or support to families, the public, law enforcement, and other professionals to help recover missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent future victimization throughout the state of West Virginia.
If you are a teacher or scout leader that would like a presentation, please reach out to us.
Through partnering with NCMEC, we can provide crucial prevention and safety programming, provide services or support to families, the public, law enforcement, and other professionals to help recover missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent future victimization throughout the state of West Virginia.
If you are a teacher or scout leader that would like a presentation, please reach out to us.