Human Trafficking Today:

A Homegrown Epidemic

While Human Trafficking is a global trend that goes beyond any international borders, Media 4 Humanity is one of the few non-profits dedicated to helping human trafficking victims in the United States.

The need for Media 4 Humanity is there: the United States still lags behind on legislation and victim support for those caught in the chains of exploitation. It was only as recently as 2000 that the United States government passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, requiring annual reports on Human Trafficking, recognizing the practice as a global epidemic that had reached its amber shores.

That same year, Media 4 Humanity was founded and like the US government, has annually increased its efforts to serve as a watch guard for our nation's children.

Unfortunately, predators have doubled their efforts to exploit children within US borders, using an intangible and increasingly lawless medium as their main weapon to penetrate American homes: the Internet.

Websites such as Craigslist have become virtual hubs for the sexual exploitation of minors, and law enforcement has been scrambling to keep up with the technological advancements, let alone provide support to the often faceless, underage victims.

Even less discussed are the thousands of potential future victims in at-risk communities across the nation--many in Media 4 Humanity's backyard in New York City. Often time these potential victims are young girls who are given few opportunities to succeed and even less encouragement to try.

"I wanted to feel loved... I wanted to feel important, " a 14-year old Sacramento girl explained to CNN as her reason for using Craigslist to sell her body. She had been a prostitute since the age of 11.

These girls deserve to feel loved and important without sacrificing their identities, their integrity, their futures, and sometimes, their lives.

That is why Media 4 Humanity believes in combating the issue here at home--on foot, on phone, on paper and online--with REAL action:

Rescue. Empowerment. Awareness. Legislation.