HUMAN TRAFFICKING
If you suspect a child is a victim, REACH OUT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT and seek help. Please watch this 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.
In Virginia and Maryland
In 2016, Washington DC was ranked #1 and as of 2023 is ranked #3 in the country (NY is #1). The data for Virginia and Maryland can be wrapped around these statistic. Richmond is in the top 20. McLean, VA continues to be a hub for active human trafficking cases and we should take this seriously. Many Virginians would be surprised to hear that human trafficking happens so close to home, the local malls and county schools. Tysons Corner hotels have all been trained to spot human trafficking and report it. In Baltimore, our contacts see victims of human trafficking daily.
Please keep the 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.
In West Virginia
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.
