With the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 slavery was abolished in the United States forever. Unfortunately that is no the case. There is slavery happening in cities and suburbs all over the United States, and all over the world. Human Trafficking, also known as 21st century slavery, is an issue facing our nation and our world that most people don't even know about. We all know about genocides, hunger, poverty and dictatorships taking place all over the world but very few know about the atrocities taking place in our own backyards.

50,000 women and children are trafficked into major cities and suburbs in the United States annually. 

Anywhere from 700,000 and 4 million women and children are trafficked for the purpose of sex and sexual exploitation every year. 

Sex trafficking has become a multi-billion dollar business, and is the third most profitable business for organized crime, after drugs and arms dealing.

Every thirty seconds, another person becomes a victim. Women are lured by traffickers with false promises of low-skilled jobs such as domestic help, models, and other jobs, and are then forced to work as prostitutes. 

The age of the average trafficking victim is becoming younger and younger. Girls as young as 7 are being trafficked for child prostitution. The average age of prostitutes being trafficked into certain Asian brothels is 14.

It could be your daughter, your sister, your wife, your best friend.