Given the sheer spread and prevalence of domestic minor sex trafficking, it is important to know where to turn in cases of emergency. If you are a victim of abuse, trafficking, or witness to one, you can help by calling 911 if it is an emergency or by reaching out to specific organizations designated to handle these kinds of situations.
The good thing is that they all operate round the clock and are staffed with well-trained personnel ready to help at any time. So if you notice any signs of minor sex trafficking, child abuse, or human trafficking around you, you can either call or report a tip with the following organizations:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) believes every child deserves a safe childhood. It is the nation's nonprofit clearinghouse and comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention of and recovery from child victimization. NCMEC leads the fight against abduction, abuse, and exploitation of children in the U.S.
Adults or parents can report cases of missing or abducted children to the NCMEC by calling 1-800-843-5678. Often, missing children are coerced into forced labor, commercial sexual activities, and involuntary domestic servitude. Teenagers who want to return home but don’t know how to or seek shelter can also call the NCMEC helpline themselves and get personalized help.
CyberTipline
For any suspected case of online sex trafficking or sexual exploitation, you can report a tip on the CyberTipline website. Anyone can make a CyberTipline report 24-hours a day, 7 days a week online. NCMEC’s CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. You can also call the 24-Hour Hotline at 1-800-843-5678.
The public and electronic service providers can make reports of suspected online enticement or trafficking of minors for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, the spread of child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited sexual content sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet. In 2020 alone, the CyberTipline received 21.7 million reports of child sexual exploitation, including 65.4 million images, videos, and other files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
National Human Trafficking Hotline
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national, anti-trafficking hotline and resource center serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States. Since the National Human Trafficking Hotline is not a law enforcement authority, it works hand-in-hand with the FBI conducting thorough investigations on each reported or suspected case and rescuing victims.
If you think that someone around you or someone you know is being trafficked, or you are a victim of domestic human trafficking, you can either call 1-888-373-7888 or report a tip on the NHTH website. Alternatively, you can call the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at 1-866-347-2423 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at any time throughout the year, or submit a tip online at www.ice.gov/tips.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a national, toll-free hotline available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, any time of the day. You can also text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733 or chat with them via www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.
The National Runaway Switchboard
The National Runaway Switchboard serves as the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. Its mission is to keep America’s runaway, homeless and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. The NRS handles an average of 100,000 calls annually. Since the inception of the organization, it has taken more than 3 million calls. You can text, call (1-800-RUNAWAY), chat, or email the NRS. They are available to listen and help every time, 24 hours a day.
The NRS receives funding from and partners with the Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children, Youth and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911.
About the Mission Haven
The Mission Haven is a nongovernment, charity-funded organization focused on providing a comprehensive and transformational Haven of Healing for victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. We believe that every single DMST or child sex trafficking survivor still has a chance at life at its best.
Our goal at The Mission Haven is to provide them with all the support they need to start over. With your generous donations and support, we can continue to provide a truly safe haven of hope and healing equipped with essential resources to lift victims and survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking. To give, volunteer, or become a partner, feel free to contact us today.
Comments