The United States is primarily a destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for sexual and labor exploitation. Victims often come from Mexico and Central America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. In addition to being a recipient of trafficking victims, the best data suggests that at least 100,000 American children are being commercially sexually exploited in the United States.
The U.S. has taken many steps to combat these issues. The PROTECT Act focuses on protecting children from sexual predators such as American child-sex tourists and foreign nationals who traffic children into the United States. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its subsequent reauthorizations include provisions targeting
demand for trafficking victims and issuing more protective T-Visas to victims.
Research
Strong legislation such as the Trafficking Victims Protection Act confirms that America will not tolerate those who exploit our youth. However, staggering statistics and numerous stories from survivors indicate our work is far from over. In 2006, Shared Hope International spearheaded the U.S. Mid-Term Review on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in America, a nation-wide project which found that current resources for commercially sexually exploited children in the U.S. are insufficient.
DEMAND.
Shared Hope International (SHI) investigated the commercial sex markets in Jamaica, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States – Atlanta, Las Vegas and Washington, DC under a grant from the U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. The DEMAND. report and documentary revealed for the first time, the sophisticated business model behind sex trafficking and tourism, exposing the buyers who bring demand, the traffickers and recruiters who supply the victims, and the facilitators that feed the market.
Research on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking
Under a grant from the Department of Justice, Shared Hope International (SHI) aligned with 11 newly funded Human Trafficking Task Forces across the United States. Our research resulted in The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: America’s Prostituted Children which was released at a Congressional Briefing in July 2009. The report examined the governmental and nongovernmental efforts and gaps in addressing child sex trafficking in the United States. The report exposed the harsh reality that hundreds of thousands of American children are victimized through sex trafficking in the United States, driven by the demand for the commercial sex acts they perform.
Shared Hope International has outlined state and federal policy legislation recommendations. Federal policy recommendations have been tailored specifically in response to federal legislation against sex trafficking. However, because human trafficking legislation varies from state to state, our state policy recommendations serve as a guide for state governments to follow when instituting effective sex trafficking legislation.
SHI partners with organizations across the United States that fund outreach and shelter options for at-risk and trafficked women and children in the U.S. These programs offer girls refuge, clothes, food and the support they need to escape. Because of these partners and compassionate individuals like you, young girls like Cara and Stacy and Yolanda are given dignity and hope.
The Defenders USA
The Defenders USA was an initiative that encourages men to stand up, speak out and hold other men accountable for their actions, pledging to refrain from viewing, buying, or participating in activities that support the commercial sex industry. The Defenders know that prevention is the key, and the Campaign is committed to raising awareness, encouraging public debate, and reducing demand through education.
Restorative Shelter Initiative
The Restorative Shelter Initiative (RSI) is a national network of experts on service and shelter provision to U.S. citizen and permanent resident victims of sex trafficking. RSI acknowledges the critical importance of survivor leaders working in conjunction with other subject matter experts, such as child trauma experts, psychologists, forensic pediatricians, social workers, and victim advocates to deliver the highest quality care, enabling victims to be restored and reach their full potential.
WIN Domestic Program
SHI established the WIN Domestic Program, training women to re-enter the work force to support themselves and their families. During this nine-month program, we arrange “work-mentor” relationships through U.S. businesses, and have a network of business managers and owners who agree to give work opportunities to women successfully completing the program.
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