Human trafficking right here in America

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - This week marks the start of a national event, Stand For Freedom. It's an anti-slavery movement right here in the United States. And one Indiana State University group is bringing awareness to the Wabash Valley.
    
“I think what's really horrifying to me, personally, as an American, when I go and visit… the thing that sticks out to me is how often the girls are sold by their parents…sometimes parents do resort to selling children to traffickers,” said Catherine Tucker, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor.
         
More than two million children are forced into the sex trade every year. That's up 7 percent in the past decade.

"Just because it's not a visible thing we see happening, it happens a lot. Domestically, as well as all around the world. Just because it's not something that's visible to us, doesn't mean that it's not a large issue that's affecting individuals in our world,” said Kayla Spalding, student, clinical mental health counseling program.
    
The largest number comes from Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. Many end up here in North America.

"Well, I think it's important because it touches every aspect of the globe. There isn't a country, a place anywhere in the world that this problem isn't impacting,” said Vanessa Granger-Belcher, student, clinical mental health counseling program.

But before you think this doesn't affect you......
    
Right now, right here, in America, people are being bought, sold and smuggled like modern-day slaves.

"When you think of slavery you don't think of it happening here, happening in our backyard. And it is happening here and it is happening in Indiana, in Terre Haute. I think it's so important to make ourselves aware that everyone can fall victim to this,” said Dana Edwardson, student, clinical mental health counseling program.

“It's very hidden. It's very underground here. It's very difficult to identify victims,” said Tucker.
    
Tucker wants to raise awareness of this issue and wants to educate the future generations on how they can help their fellow man.

"I think a lot of times these are silent victims that we are often missing. Sometimes don't have that ability to reach out and say hey this is happening to me,” said Vanessa.

“To say we have to value our girls, our daughters, our sisters, very carefully. And make sure parents don't see them as being less than. Which is a big part of the problem,” said Tucker.

In May, the group will tour southeast Asia to investigate first hand what the trafficking trade is all about.
    
You can help!

Head to Destiny Rescue website to learn more or to help with trafficking.