Rescuing Missing, Runaway and Exploited Teens from Child Sex Trafficking

We work with families, at NO COST, to locate and rescue missing teens.

The longer a teen is missing, the more vulnerable they are to becoming victims of child sex trafficking and other forms of human trafficking. But often times, local law enforcement lacks the technology, resources and manpower to aggressively search for each runaway teen. We come alongside families, government agencies and law enforcement with specialized technology and manpower to assist in locating and rescuing teens who are reported as runaways, missing or suspected trafficking victims. Our team of skilled professionals includes specially trained volunteers and licensed private investigators with experience in computer science and technology, forensics, education, social services, mental health, and medical fields.

Become a part of our team. Donate or volunteer today.

Common factors related to runaway behavior…

— older youth (14-17) are more likely to run than younger

— females are more likely to run than males

— youth more often run from congregate care type facilities like RTCs than from foster or kinship homes

— youth with alcohol and other substance abuse problems are more likely to run

— most youth are gone only a week or less, while a sizable proportion are gone for more than a month, especially among older youth

— the likelihood that a youth who has run will run again is relatively high, particularly during the period immediately after return to care

Crosland & Glen Dunlap – 2015 survey of research

Human Trafficking defined…

— labor trafficking: when an individual performs labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion

— sex trafficking: when an individual of any age performs sex acts through the use of force, fraud, or coercion in exchange for compensation

— child sex trafficking: when an individual under 18 years of age performs sex acts in exchange for compensation

— does not require use of force, fraud, or coercion

— a minor (anyone under 18 yrs old) cannot legally consent to a commercial sex act

— customers (those who pay for sex) with a minor may be charged with sex trafficking of a minor regardless of whether or not they knew the trafficking victim’s age

Sex Trafficking…

— Sex trafficking is the fastest growing business of organized crime, and the third-largest criminal enterprise in the world.

— Child victims are a particular concern. The average age at which girls first become victims of prostitution is 12 to 14, according to several studies.

— Traffickers are increasingly active on social media, which they use to target victims and advertise to customers.