Fighting Human Trafficking

With each new year, we create goals and resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more or spend less money. However, it isn’t common for people to set goals of fighting human trafficking, homelessness or any of the other disparities we see in society today.  We need to do that.
December rounded out a year in which 2,500 individuals were arrested, suspected or charged with human trafficking activities in the United States. In Winter Haven, Florida, 103 individuals were arrested on charges including prostitution and human trafficking during a five-day undercover sting between November 27^th and December 2^nd.   More than 560 people over 18 years of age were rescued from being trafficked and nearly 970 children under year 18 were rescued.  There were 129 new laws passed to fight human trafficking and 621 community-based initiatives to fight trafficking.
In December in the United States, there were 200 individuals arrested, suspected, or charged with human trafficking activities, as well as 40 victims rescued, including five children under the age of 18. There were three new laws passed and 43 community initiatives.
Internationally in December, there were 170 individuals arrested, suspected, or charged with human trafficking activity, as well as 152 victims rescued, including nine children under the age of 18. There were two new laws passed and 13 community initiatives.
In 2018 as a whole, the combined totals there were 4,078 individuals arrested, suspected, or charged with human trafficking activity, as well as 4,675 victims rescued, including 3,763 children under the age of 18. There were 153 new laws passed and 808 community initiatives.
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and I challenge my Facebook friends to join the fight against human trafficking and to have honest and open discussions about human trafficking in America. This year make it a goal to learn the signs of human trafficking or participate in an event benefitting victims of human trafficking. To learn more, like the Shut-Out Trafficking Facebook page and follow End Trafficking on Twitter.
Below, I have listed the 39 cities where human trafficking was reported in December:
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Appleton, Wisconsin
Austin, Texas
Bakersfield, California
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Boston, Massachusetts
Clarksville, Tennessee
Columbus, Ohio
Davidson, North Carolina
Eureka, California
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fontana, California
Henderson, Texas
Lake Worth, Florida
Lakeport, California
Lancaster, California
Los Angeles, California
Macomb, Michigan
Medford, Massachusetts
Miami, Florida
Minot, North Dakota
Montgomery County, Texas
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
New Orleans. Louisiana
Northampton, Pennsylvania
Palo Alto, California
Portland, Maine
Richmond, California
Ronkonkoma, New York
San Jose, California
Spartanburg, South Carolina
St. George, Utah
St. Paul, Minnesota
Washington D.C.
Wellford, South Carolina
Wilson, North Carolina
Winter Haven, Florida
Woburn, Massachusetts