The U.S. is the #1 Buyer of Sex with Children // Kim Iversen

Kim Iversen | Trusted Newsmaker



Human trafficking is a term that often conjures images of distant lands or sensationalized headlines involving high-profile figures. Yet, the reality is far more pervasive and closer to home than most Americans realize. The United States, often celebrated as the land of the free, is the world’s leading consumer of commercial sex involving women and children—a staggering $12 billion industry within its borders, accounting for a third of the global $150 billion human trafficking market. This sobering statistic reveals a crisis that thrives in the shadows of everyday life, fueled by demand, enabled by technology, and perpetuated by a judicial system struggling to keep pace.

A National Epidemic

The scope of human trafficking in the U.S. is staggering. No county or zip code is untouched, with tens of thousands of minors and adults—predominantly women and girls—trapped in cycles of exploitation. In Texas alone, an estimated 76,000 children are actively being trafficked or sexually exploited, with 300 children sold on the streets of Dallas every night, according to the state’s attorney general. These numbers are not anomalies but part of a broader pattern where supply meets an insatiable demand. The U.S. has become a hub for this crime, not because of isolated incidents but due to systemic factors that allow it to flourish unchecked.

Historically, human trafficking was associated with overt kidnapping, but that accounts for only 17% of cases today. Instead, 47% of trafficking involves “familial trafficking,” where perpetrators are trusted figures like parents, coaches, or teachers. This shift makes the crime harder to detect, as victims often remain at home, exploited by those closest to them. The rise of technology has further transformed the landscape. Grooming, once a face-to-face process, now happens online through platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Discord, where predators exploit vulnerabilities with alarming precision.

The Role of Technology in Modern Trafficking

The digital age has made trafficking both more accessible and harder to spot. Predators no longer need to lurk in dark alleys or rely on overt coercion. Instead, they use social media and gaming platforms to build trust with their victims, often over months. A chilling example involves a 13-year-old girl, Sarah, who was targeted after sharing her disappointment about not making a soccer team online. A predator, posing as a supportive adult, engaged with her posts, eventually showing up at her game to take a selfie with her in the background. By sending her the photo and offering emotional support—something her family seemingly withheld—he began to earn her trust. This calculated grooming process, which can take up to nine months, preys on emotional vulnerabilities, particularly among Gen Z, who often seek love and belonging in digital spaces.

This shift to online exploitation has made trafficking nearly invisible to the average person. Unlike gang violence or homelessness, which leave visible marks on communities, trafficking operates covertly. Most Americans, even those living in major cities like Los Angeles, may never witness it, leading to a dangerous perception that it’s not a widespread issue. Yet, the reality is that predators are connecting with victims in plain sight—through direct messages, likes, and comments—making it a crime that thrives out of sight, out of mind.

Legal Progress and Persistent Gaps

Significant strides have been made in legislation. Before 2015, U.S. laws didn’t adequately distinguish between adult and minor victims of trafficking, often charging minors with prostitution despite their inability to consent. A decade of advocacy by NGOs and lawmakers led to codified laws that protect those 17 and under, recognizing that minors cannot consent to commercial sex. States like California and Texas have some of the strongest anti-trafficking laws in the world, with penalties of up to 30 years for predators who exploit children. Congress has also funded task forces and awareness campaigns to combat the issue.

However, these laws are only as effective as their enforcement, and here lies a critical failure. Despite the prevalence of trafficking, prosecutions are alarmingly low—only 148 federal cases in the last two years, a fraction compared to the tens of thousands of victims. High-profile cases like those of Jeffrey Epstein or Sean Combs (P. Diddy) highlight the judiciary’s struggles. In Combs’ case, human trafficking charges were reduced before trial, resulting in a not guilty verdict on those counts. Similarly, Epstein’s client list and the buyers in other cases rarely face accountability. The lack of prosecutions stems from a judiciary unprepared to handle the complexity of trafficking cases, where victims’ trauma and inconsistent testimonies—often due to coercion or emotional manipulation—complicate legal proceedings.

The Need for Specialized Courts

One proposed solution is the establishment of specialized human trafficking courts in every state. General judges and prosecutors often lack the expertise to navigate the psychological and legal nuances of these cases. Unlike bankruptcy, which prompted the creation of specialty courts in 1978 due to its complexity, human trafficking involves unique challenges: no two victims’ experiences are alike, and trauma can make testifying difficult. Victims like Cassie Ventura, who alleged abuse by Combs, face scrutiny over past consent, blurring the lines between coercion and choice in the eyes of untrained courts. Even in states like Nevada, where legal prostitution exists, over 85% of sex workers have filed trafficking or rape charges, underscoring the need for judges who understand that consent can be withdrawn at any moment.

Specialized courts, supported by NGOs and equipped with wraparound services, could ensure better outcomes. These courts would train judges and prosecutors in best practices, allow for flexible application of state and federal laws, and prioritize victim support. By addressing the unique needs of survivors, such courts could close the gap between robust laws and their enforcement, ensuring that predators—and not just high-profile figures like Epstein or Maxwell—face justice.

Breaking the Silence

Public perception remains a significant barrier. Many dismiss trafficking as a problem confined to elite circles or foreign countries, unaware of its prevalence in their own communities. Cases like Sarah from Paducah, Kentucky, who was trafficked but received no media attention, illustrate how everyday victims are overlooked. The lack of visibility fuels denial, as people struggle to imagine where such transactions occur. Yet, the answer lies in the devices we all use daily—phones, apps, and gaming platforms—where predators operate with impunity.

Raising awareness is critical, but so is action. Organizations like Children’s Health Defense, founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., exemplify the power of grassroots movements in challenging systemic issues. While their focus is on medical freedom, their model of public advocacy and legal action offers a blueprint for anti-trafficking efforts. Donations to such causes, as emphasized in the transcript, can fund research, lawsuits, and awareness campaigns that hold perpetrators and complicit systems accountable.

A Call to Action

Human trafficking is not a distant problem—it’s a national crisis that demands urgent attention. The U.S. must move beyond passing laws to ensuring their enforcement through specialized courts and trained professionals. Public awareness campaigns should highlight the role of technology in modern trafficking, urging parents and communities to monitor online spaces. Most importantly, we must listen to survivors and amplify their stories, from high-profile cases to those like Sarah, whose suffering goes unnoticed.

To combat this epidemic, individuals can support organizations fighting trafficking, advocate for judicial reform, and educate themselves on the signs of grooming and exploitation. Every step—whether a donation, a conversation, or a call for accountability—brings us closer to dismantling the systems that allow this crime to persist. The land of the free cannot afford to ignore its role as the world’s leading buyer of human lives. It’s time to face this bitter truth and act.

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