HUMAN TRAFFICKING
If you suspect a child is a victim, REACH OUT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT and seek help. To learn more please watch this 2 minute video:
The GOAL of Bakhita Kids is to bring awareness of human trafficking in our OWN BACKYARD of Northern Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. We are raising awareness of this injustice with the above video and delivering postcards to businesses, churches, and community centers to promote the video specifically in the areas of Martinsburg, WV, McLean, VA and Baltimore, MD. It is a crime more prevalent than most people realize, affecting children in all sections of the population. Recently a child trafficker was arrested, tried, and sentenced in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Click on one of the links above for details.
By the time a child starts showing signs often attributed to being trafficked , they may be fully entrenched in this illegal activity. Human Trafficking treats the most vulnerable like property, controlled through manipulation, threats and violence to the victims or their families.
The average age a teen enters the sex trade in the US is 12 to 14 years old. HOWEVER, preteens are being groomed and children are trafficked locally after school. Children as young as 3 years old have been trafficked.
Virginia
In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly approved the Code of Virginia § 9.1-116.5 which became effective on July 1, 2019. This established a State Trafficking Response Coordinator within the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. This position is to establish a consistent, collaborative, multi-disciplinary response system for working with human trafficking survivors. This includes responding to the case from both a victim services and legal perspective. This position collaborates with state and local government agencies, private providers, non-profits, and other NGOs throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Please keep these important facts in mind:
Criminals who traffic children are well organized and fully funded. Traffickers and gangs like MS-13 target the whole family and are local to Northern Virginia.
All children are targeted including wealthy, urban and rural populations.
Traffickers target children online through gaming, social media and fake ads.
Peer recruiting happens at every age and YOUNGER children are the most vulnerable.
Race, age and ethnic background become specific targets based on location.
West Virginia
§61-14-2. Human trafficking of an individual; aiding and abetting human trafficking; penalties.
(a) Any person who knowingly and willfully traffics an adult, or who knowingly and willfully aids, assists, or abets in any manner in the trafficking of an adult, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be confined in a state correctional facility for not less than three nor more than 15 years, fined not more than $200,000, or both confined and fined.
(b) Any person who knowingly and willfully traffics a minor, or who knowingly and willfully aids, assists, or abets in any manner in the trafficking of a minor, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be confined in a state correctional facility for not less than five nor more than 20 years, fined not more than $300,000, or both confined and fined
West Virginians are especially vulnerable to human trafficking because of the opioid epidemic, poverty and a large number of children in foster care in the Martinsburg area.
Tips to remember:
Monitor behavior and online activity.
Utilize technology to monitor your child’s location.
Have open and honest conversation with your child about the DANGERS they may face.
Warn your child about giving their phone number and any personal information to strangers or new friends.
Criminals will be stopped in their tracks if your child is encouraged to speak to you about possible threats.
We are currently working with organizations that provide awareness in local areas of Northern Virginia and Martinsburg, West Virginia. Our goal is to help .bring awareness through video ads and trusted partners.
