Child Sex Trafficking, COVID 19, and Our Responsibilities

The economic crisis accompanying COVID 19 has brought to light sex-trafficking involving women and children. Last month, the U.S Marshals rescued 25 missing children between ages 13 and 18 from Ohio, a quarter of whom are said to be sex trafficking victims. Also saved in the same month in Georgia were 39 children between ages 3 and 17, fifteen of which were victims of sex trafficking. 

While people, especially women and children, due to the pandemic, continue to experience financial hardship opening them up to unscrupulous people exploiting their vulnerabilities, parents, governments, and anti-trafficking organizations need to do more. 

More than before, parents must watch over their children and teach them not to follow or entertain strangers. As kids spend more time on the internet for online learning, parents must monitor their children’s online activities to prevent them from falling victims of online predators. 

Responsible governments need to create enough public awareness of sex trafficking and all forms of human trafficking. Governments should prosecute traffickers and provide law enforcement officers with training and technical assistance required to identify and rescue trafficked victims.

Anti-trafficking organizations are doing very well by helping to shelter and rebrand survivors of trafficking. While these activities are appreciated, organizations are encouraged to keep fighting for victims and survivors alike. With the new challenges posed by COVID 19, including loss of staff and financial instability, donors and well-meaning individuals should keep supporting the cause of these incredible organizations as their activities go a long way in reforming and reshaping the lives of our loved ones.

We all have a role to play! Let's keep working!