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Human trafficking hits home

How many girls have been in a situation that could have been a result in human trafficking? Whether it was that man who offered you a ride, but you declined, or the man who tried to lure you to coming home with him. Chances are, most of all teenage girls have been in a situation that could have possibly resulted in human trafficking.

What is human trafficking? Alternatives for Girls, an organization located in Detroit, says human trafficking is a modern day form of slavery. Traffickers use force, fraud or promises to make victims engage in commercial sex or labor acts against their will. Human trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world behind drug trafficking.

Did you know that Michigan is No. 2 in human trafficking? The average age a teen enters human trafficking is 12 to 14 years old.

Ninth grader Bionca Ward can recall when about a week ago she was waiting at the bus stop when she was approached by a man she didn’t know. The man tried to lure her into going home with him.

“He told me if I went home with him he would give me jewelry and food. If I would’ve went to his house with him, I’d either be dead, missing, or trapped in his house” she said.

Ninth grader Destiny Baker also recalls when two years ago she was approached by a man.

“A man approached me and my aunty in his car. He wanted us to get in his car, but we said no,” Baker said. “As soon as he started to get in his car, me and my auntie threw rocks at his car and ran home. Just think, if I would’ve gotten into his car, I could’ve been raped or forced into human trafficking.”

Ninth grader Briana Thomas has a scary experience of being followed home.

“When I was walking home from work he drove up to me and asked if he could drop me off at home,” shew said. “I said no. He drove up to me five times after that, continuing to ask, and I kept saying no. I felt scared, my heart was beating so fast.”

Human trafficking can happen to anyone, if you are not aware. If you or someone you know may be a victim of Human Trafficking call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888.

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