Living the Mission - Children
Each Day in America
2 mothers die in childbirth
4 children are killed by abuse or neglect
5 children or teens commit suicide
9 children or teens are killed by firearms
32 children or teens die from accidents
78 babies die before their first birthdays
202 children are arrested for violent crimes
377 children are arrested from drug offenses
964 babies are born at a low birth weight
1,210 babies are born to teen mothers
1,240 public school students are corporally punished
2,060 babies are born without health insurance
2,175 children are confirmed as abused or neglected
2,222 high school students drop out
2,692 babies are born into poverty
4,435 children are arrested
4,498 babies are born to unmarried mothers
18,493 public school students are suspended
Human Trafficking
Victims of human trafficking are denied their God-given identity. Addressing human trafficking is a matter of justice.
Did you think we abolished slavery? Wrong. Slavery is flourishing. Human trafficking is a criminal business that profits from enslaving people for sexual servitude and forced labor. It is the second largest and fastest growing criminal enterprise worldwide.
Statistics:
- 12.5 Million slaves worldwide (80% women and children; 50% children)
- At least 100,000 American minors are sex slaves (sold by pimps)
- 14,500-17,500 people brought in from other countries as slaves each year
- 200,000 American children are at high risk for trafficking into the sex industry each year
Sources:
The Polaris Project www.polarisproject.org and California Against Slavery: http://www.californiaagainstslavery.org
Protecting Trafficking Victims in the Era of Immigration Enforcement:
There are victims involved in Human Trafficking…they are not participants in this criminal activity. With all the ‘get tough on illegal immigration’ victims of human trafficking may have greater fear and hopelessness.
‘There are many fundamental differences between the crimes of human trafficking and human smuggling. Both are entirely separate Federal crimes in the U.S. Most notably, smuggling is a crime against a country’s borders, whereas human trafficking is a crime against a person. Also, while smuggling requires illegal border crossing, human trafficking involves commercial sex acts or labor or services that are induced through force, fraud, or coercion.’
Source: The Polaris Project
Support organizations taking a stand against human trafficking:
The Underground Railroad was started by a few people who cared enough to take action! Organizations like the Polaris Project and California against Slavery are making a difference in today’s fight against modern slavery. Making a financial donation, a gift of time, goods, or services, or helping to raise awareness are some of the things collectively that help victims everyday.
- California Against Slavery www.californiaagainstslavery.org
- The Polaris Project www.polarisproject.org
- Not for Sale http://www.notforsalecampaign.org
- Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force www.egovlink.com/ochumantrafficking
