Relate to: CHANGE

Child sex trafficking is far too common throughout Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, Africa, Central and North America. 1.2 million children are trafficked each year in addition to those already captivated; 14,500-17,500 are trafficked into the U.S. each year (International Crisis Aid). In order to decrease the number of child victims, people need to take action. We need a significant change; a change that will have a strong enough, and lasting effect to save innocent beings from being manipulated used, abused, and thrown away as waste. Whether this change is by law enforcement, medicine, social workers, politicians, or celebrities, these child victims need a voice. They need somebody to reach out to them and stand up for them because they are unable to do so themselves.

The “Trafficking Victims Act of 2000” makes it illegal to recruit, allure, or obtain a person for commercial sex acts, or to benefit from such activities. This law pertains to victims of any age and doesn’t require a victim to travel oversees or cross-state. Anybody who traffics victims in violation of this law could face life in prison. Similarly, in 2003, “The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section” was created. The goal of CEOS is to bring those who traffic children to justice. CEOS works to prosecute cases under federal statutes prohibiting international and interstate sex trafficking. The following link outlines federal statutes against sex tourism: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/smart/pdfs/18_usc_index.pdf. Not only are there people who profit from trafficking, there are those who patronize it as well. The statute “Transportation of Minors,” holds accountable those who benefit and arrange travel of children. The specific legal code is 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b) and it holds a 30 year maximum prison sentence.

Besides actual legal law, “Shared Hope International” is a group formed by Linda Smith who was a member of U.S. Congress in the early 90’s and represented Washington State. She has taken a strong position against child sex trafficking through various alliances (War Against Trafficking Alliance, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, DEMAND.). She also wrote a book and created a documentary on child sex exploitation. Smith is an example of change for child sex trafficking. SHI rescues and restores the lives of child victims internationally. The goal of SHI is to prevent sex trafficking by educating and brining awareness to the world. SHI also works collaboratively with the U.S. government in preventing child sex trafficking through laws and financial aid. There are TONS of information on SHI through the website sharedhope.org. This organization is changing the face of child sex trafficking each day.

Because the government is taking action by creating and enforcing new and existing laws, it helps make the change needed in regards to sex tourism. Federal law gives prosecutors the resources to bring those who commit the crime to justice. There are also many different organizations, movements, and alliances available to protest slavery. People need to get out there and take action and make the change for the children. These child victims are innocent, young human beings and they need our help!

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