Online childhood exploitation is a subset of childhood exploitation that has always existed in the physical world. The advent of the internet 25 years ago opened a doorway for offenders to interact with one another and children in ways they could not before—increasing accessibility and, therefore, exploitation.

If a minor is online, they become more vulnerable to individuals who can exploit them. The following story is based on actual events.

Our goal is to prevent this type of recruitment and exploitation from happening in the first place, so we’ve created several free resources that cover topics like online safety and how to look for red flags of digital recruitment.

Maria was trafficked for years, but she bravely escaped when she saw an open door. On the run, she collided with a woman who had become aware of human trafficking through one of our posters.
The woman called our human trafficking hotline, and a call specialist connected her with the police. Because of Maria’s testimony, the police conducted a raid and rescued many others. Her bravery had a ripple effect, and you too can create a ripple effect of freedom today.

In our Aftercare program, Maria overcame the trauma and found a fresh hope for the future. She experienced healing and restoration. She received medical support, took language lessons, engaged in our group programs, and developed the skills to help her thrive in a new community.

Eventually, she moved into her own apartment and now lives in complete independence. It’s a surreal feeling. A foreign feeling. But the best feeling.

Today, she’s working full-time. She knows her worth. She’s full of hope. She’s living the life she’s always wanted and pursuing the dreams she’s always had.

Right now, Maria is testifying in court against her traffickers. This chapter in her life ends not just in freedom but also in justice.

We long for more stories like Maria's. We long for the day where slavery no longer exists. Thank you for investing in freedom for those who are still being exploited.

It's A Penalty
January 2022: Superbowl LVI  

Large events, such as the Super Bowl, can lead to an increase in human trafficking because of the high influx of visitors—but we're working to change that. 

It's A Penalty (IAP) is a global campaign that harnesses the power of sport to prevent abuse, exploitation, and trafficking globally. We are proud to be one of the founding partners to this campaign and are excited to announce that the new PSA video, shown here, will be played throughout Southwest and American flights.

Several athletes including Chris Godwin, Johnny Hekker, Aaron Rodgers, Andy Dalton, Nick Foles, and many others are using their voices to speak up and help prevent the exploitation of children.

Last year during the Super Bowl, 16 missing children from the Missing Kids list were identified in the region! It was a team effort to safeguard these individuals.

This is the power of prevention and awareness. Because of your generosity, we can make more people aware of human trafficking and how to stop it.

Sports fan or not, we all agree that every man, woman, and child deserves to be free.

Watch the It’s A Penalty video now and don’t forget to play it at your Super Bowl Party on February 13!
  

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Can You See Me? Child Sex Tourism Scenario Launches

January 2022: Brand New Can You See Me? Scenario

As child sex tourism is a type of child sex trafficking, indicators specifically to sex trafficking apply such as:

• Victim appears to be a minor
• Signs of abuse and malnourishment (denied food, water, sleep, and/or medical care)
• Shows signs of fear or apprehension
• Body language and facial expression show unhappiness
• Appears submissive
• Appears uncomfortable
• Has few personal possessions
• Does not have access to money
• May be subjected to insults, abuse, threats, or violence

Additional indicators specific to child sex tourism may be noticed:

• The offender shows physical affection towards the minor in an unreciprocated manner
• The minor is accompanying the offender to a hotel/motel
• The offender subtly treats the minor like property/possession
• The offender is taking the initiative over the minor in every transaction
• The offender appears significantly older than the minor
• The minor can be as young as 5, 6, or 7 years old
• The minor can be a boy or a girl; the offender is often a male
• The minor appears to be local to the region whereas the offender is often of a different nationality
• The minor may be poorly dressed in contrast to the offender whose clothing and possessions appear to be of a higher quality.
  

 
Learn More About Can You See Me? →

2021 Was A Record-Breaking Year

2022: Thank you

Because of passionate people like you, 2021 was our most impactful year ever. We continued to break previous records and we are so thankful for your support.

See the impact we made together in 2021:

3,983,504 (yes, million!) people reached with awareness and prevention.

28 perpetrators convicted or found guilty.

3,447 frontline professionals trained to combat human trafficking.

209 new survivors entered A21’s aftercare programs.

587 victims identified and processed for referral.

Every number represents a life that was positively affected by you. Whether it was someone learning about human trafficking for the first time or a survivor who entered our care, it was only possible because of your commitment to freedom.

We look forward to continuing to make a difference together, in 2022!   

Trafficker Gets Life Sentence in America!

November 2021: Walk For Freedom

After our North Carolina office worked with the lead survivor witness for years, a judge sentenced her trafficker to life behind bars—the highest possible penalty for his crimes.

This is a precedent-setting court victory for future cases of human trafficking and a significant win for this survivor and many others.

Trafficker Gets Life Sentence in America 
Our North Carolina team celebrated a ground-breaking court victory in 2020. After working with the lead survivor witness for years, a judge sentenced her trafficker to life behind bars—the highest possible penalty for his crimes. This is a precedent-setting court victory for future cases of human trafficking and a significant win for this survivor and many others.

December 2021: Amazon Wishlist

This December, we are opening the A21 Holiday Shop for the second time in our Freedom Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The A21 Holiday Shop provides survivors the opportunity to experience the joy of holiday shopping for their children at no cost to them.

To be a part of making this event happen, visit A21 Freedom Center Charlotte Wish List on Amazon and pick out the item(s) you want to contribute. These items will be sent directly to the staff at the Freedom Center in Charlotte, where they’ll put them on display in the A21 Holiday Shop. With your support, we can extend the joy of this beautiful season to survivors and their families.

To obtain items in time for holiday shopping, the last day to purchase items off the wish list is Friday, December 3rd, 2021.

Why Legal Prosecution Is One of the Most Challenging and Powerful Things We Do

November 2021: Legal prosecution

When one brave survivor testifies in court and traffickers are convicted, thousands of other victims may be freed or spared from exploitation.

We’ve seen the ripple effect first-hand.

In Greece, two survivors testified against an individual who was prosecuted for trafficking up to 1,000 victims.

In the U.S., survivors testified against a trafficker who was convicted of charges including sex trafficking, production of child pornography, transporting victims interstate for prostitution, operating an interstate prostitution enterprise, and more.

In Thailand, three traffickers were given a groundbreaking prison sentence between 167-320 years each. Five other men involved were also found guilty and ordered to pay compensation to the child victims.

These are just a few of the many legal cases A21 has been a part of over the years. Each case with its own challenges, victories, and wave of impact.

 
Every court victory stops the cycle of human trafficking in its tracks.
It takes one more dangerous person out of the picture.
It uncovers trafficking rings that lead to the freedom of more victims.
It protects vulnerable, at-risk people from future exploitation by putting perpetrators behind bars.
It sends a loud message that traffickers will be convicted and justice will be served.

Legal prosecution is more than just prison sentences and fines. They are precedent-setting victories for the future we want to see, for the safety and protection of victims who no longer have to live in fear of their abusers. It reminds us that justice will prevail when we fight for it.