End Human Trafficking in the U.S.

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. Prevalent even in the United States, it's one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, and homeless youth are especially vulnerable.

Human trafficking subjects victims to violence, fraud and coercion for sexual exploitation or other forced labor. There are hundreds of thousands of victims in the U.S., including scores of foreign nationals and internally trafficked minors involved in prostitution.

Criminal operators often target homeless children, and America's streets are teaming with dangerous predators -- brutal pimps, gangs and pornographers.

These human traffickers buy and sell children, stripping them of their freedom. Pledge to help end human trafficking in the United States by learning to identify victims and report incidents.

Learn the signs. A victim often:

* Exhibits injuries, withdrawn behavior, depression and/or fear.

* Is malnourished and/or inappropriately dressed.

* Shows signs of drug addiction.

* Demonstrates a sudden change in attire, behavior, or material possessions (for example, expensive items).

* Makes references to sexual situations that are beyond age-specific norms.

* Has a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" who is noticeably older (10+ years).

* Demonstrates an inability to attend school on a regular basis.

* Chronically runs away from home or makes references to frequent travel to other cities.

* Lacks control over their schedule and/or identification documents.

How to respond:

* In the case of an immediate emergency in the U.S., call 911. In other countries, call your local emergency access number.

* If you know kids in danger of homelessness in the U.S., encourage them to call Covenant House's Nineline at 1-800-999-9999.

* You can report suspected trafficking crimes in the U.S. by calling the Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888.

Sponsored by: Covenant House

This is an ongoing pledge that should be fulfilled as often as possible.

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Comments, Suggestions and Stories

Andres Rodriguez @ 09:10PM PT Aug 08

Human Trafficking is discusting and needs to end. Period.
Kathi Salazar gainesville, FL @ 08:14PM PT Aug 07

When a person is taken from everything and everyone they love, that person will slowly begin to break. That person may begin to lose all sense of self, that is, if they were old enough to get to know who they even were. They lose their humanity. They become as empty and hollow as their captors. Think about how you would feel if there was no possible way to free yourself from the deplorable conditions theses so called human beings would keep you. If we continue to sit back and watch this happen, we may as well be destroying these peoples lives ourselves.
B F Harmony, ME @ 09:32PM PT Aug 02
Pledge fulfilled Aug 02, 2009!

Thank you for signing "End Human Trafficking in the U.S."
Kat Williams @ 07:36AM PT Aug 02

No one should be exploited and used to satisfy anothers "sick" needs. All decent people should stand up against this type of behavior.
Ron. Price pasadena, TX @ 04:52AM PT Aug 02

a hungry kid ( I have been there ) (and known many) will work, doing all the house chores, sex favores etc,for the chance to get good food,

and many will be upset about your exsposing the sytems set up on how to get a decent meal,

I signed the petetion
Alisha Nickols Stockton, CA @ 04:37PM PT Aug 01
Pledge fulfilled Aug 01, 2009!

Pledge completed.
Huda Alniel @ 05:33AM PT Aug 01

Human are born free, and no one has the right to enslave them or put a pound on thier freedom!
Marie DeCarney @ 09:47PM PT Jul 31

Because Human Trafficking is a horrible, horrible thing, and needs to end. For good. This and porn, are ruining our world. I'ts ruining people's minds (as if we don't already have enough to worry about). It's sinful, it's wrong, and everything about it is just terrible. We need to change this. We need them to hear our voices, and we need to start taking actions. Tomorrow starts today.
Ann Cawley Saint Joseph, MO @ 06:04PM PT Jul 31

Thank you!

You already signed this petition at 12:35 pm PDT, Jul 28, 2009.
Felicita Luna @ 03:54PM PT Jul 31

I care about all people and no one should ever be a slave!