There is much misinformation about the victims of Child Sex Trafficking. There is the belief that children who engage in trading sex are criminals, that they are just child prostitutes. The law clarifies that minors who trade sex for an item of value do not need to have a trafficker, they are not the criminal, the person paying for sex is the criminal.
Many exploited children do not consider themselves victims, they are resistant or belligerent to law enforcement. Children are not cooperative with law enforcement due to brainwashing, fear of their pimp, fear of others learning they have been working as prostitutes, emotional and mental illness. Being traumatized and fear of trusting anyone again is yet another hurdle in ending this abuse and crime.
Some children are treated as criminals and arrested for the crimes they committed such as drug possession.
Not all children who escape, the life of being trafficked are treated as criminals. However, all children who are able to get out of the sex trafficking are in need of counseling. The physical abuse they have endured is only part of the trauma the emotional, and psychological damage will be long reaching. Additionally, there are children who need drug rehab programs due to traffickers drugging them, making them addicts.
Most child victims never enjoyed the privilege of childhood innocence. They do not know what a happy childhood looks like, or what a caring or loving parent looks like. Therefore, they fear escaping, fearing they may enter a world worse than the one they live in currently.
Sex traffickers prey on children because of the higher chance of STDs in adults. The average age of the children is 15, with some reports of children as young as 12 being victims.
I hope you will be with us tomorrow as I share the story of a victim of Child sex trafficking and her journey back. Please be in prayer for these children.