Human Trafficking

Anna lay on the floor looking up at the dirty bed, her heart sinking once again. It had not grown numb yet like the other girls said it would.

“It will take time,” she remembered hearing when she first arrived. “Soon you will not feel anything.”

Apparently she needed more time and silently prayed that day would come quickly.

This wasn't supposed to be Anna’s life. She was from a suburb of Los Angels and her parents were vice presidents of two major banking institutions. She had sleepovers with friends and took fancy family vacations.

Anna was 10 years old when it happened - old enough to know not to talk with strangers - but she panicked. She lost sight of her mom at the movies and when the “nice” man said he would help, she followed not knowing he would lead her to this hellhole.

At first, Anna believed with all her heart that her dad would rescue her. He was Anna’s hero and she was his princess. But as the days turned into months and months into years, Anna began to realize that maybe her hero was more human than she first believed.

For as long as Anna could remember she had plans to go on a father/daughter date night for her thirteenth birthday. Anna’s father took her out on date nights often and she could not wait for this special time with her daddy. That was one month and two days ago.

A knock came from the other side of the door scaring Anna back to reality. As the handle turned she felt her pulse race. Not with excitement but fear, fear that this was her lot in life, and that’s when it happened – Anna’s prayer took shape and her heart went numb.

-----

Human Trafficking in the United States: Abduction, deception, and coercion – both domestic and international. 50% are children, 92% are women and girls. Most commonly sexual exploitation, hotels, food service, nail salons, massage parlors, landscaping, roofing, cleaning crews, etc. Kansas City is now a top ten international port and truck stops are infamous for sale and transport of children.

Comments