Florida ranks number three in the nation, and according to the U.S. State Department each year an estimated 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked across international borders. 80% of these people are female and half are children. Moreover, according to Operation Underground Railroad, 2 million children, the majority of them girls, are sexually exploited in the multibillion-dollar commercial sex trade industry.
Sadly, once victims are forced into human trafficking, they often die within 7 years. It’s also estimated that the number of children who are at risk or have already been pulled into the sex trade would fill 1,300 school buses. It’s time we take a stand and be their voice! If we won’t, who will?

Sources: “Too Close to Home: Human Trafficking Tampa Bay” published by WEDU(PBS) Nov. 9, 2018. Ourrescue.org U.S. Department of State