Facts

When we in the United States think of human trafficking, it can seem like a distant problem that has little relation to our lives. Trafficking is a growing problem in the United States, too, and it more widespread than one would think. Below are some facts and figures about human trafficking.

• The human trafficking industry earns more than $32.6 billion per year.
• Human trafficking is an estimated $10 billion industry in America.
• The average age of entry into human trafficking for girls and boys ranges from 11-14 years old.
• The majority of trafficking victims are between 18 and 24 years of age.
• An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year.
• 95% of victims experienced physical or sexual violence during trafficking.
• 77% of adult prostitutes were trafficked into the trade as children.
• 2.5 million people globally are victims of human trafficking at any one time – 80% of the are sexual slaves.
• 43% of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitations, of whom 98% are women and girls.
• 32% of victims are used for forced economic exploitations, of whom 56% are women and girls.
• After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today, and it is the fastest growing.
• Within the first 48 hours of being on the street, 1 in 3 children are lured into commercial exploitation.
• It is estimated that there are between 100,000 and 300,000 child victims of human trafficking in the U.S. alone.
• An estimated 27 million people in bondage world wide.
• Eight in 10 human trafficking cases involve the sex industry, the others involve labor trafficking.
• The National Human Trafficking Resource Center hot line gets 1,000 calls a month about suspected trafficking victims.
• Traffickers recruit at locations that commonly attract youth; like schools, malls, parks, even protective shelters and group homes.

*Sources include: Department of State, Prostitution Research Center, United Nations, Department of Health & Human Services, Rescue & Restore Campaign, UN, GIFT, and the Detroit Free Press.