Join us in the fight against child sex trafficking
Sex trafficking cases have spread nationwide—and Missouri is not immune
Do you know how many cases of sex trafficking occur in our Missouri communities?
There’s a common message delivered nationwide about human trafficking: “It’s happening in our own backyards.”
Reported cases of human trafficking have grown to reach all 50 U.S. states, among international territories. The numbers show no state is immune from the reality of the message—including Missouri.
A deeper look into Missouri’s trafficking statistics
The U.S. Department of Justice defines human trafficking as “a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts.” The U.S. law recognizes two forms: sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
Sex trafficking cases are those that involve commercial sex acts, and they dominate the illegal industry. They accounted for 72% of trafficking situations reported nationwide in 2021. Additionally, over 87% of trafficking situations reported in Missouri in the same year involved sex trafficking. Further findings for Missouri in 2021 shared by the National Human Trafficking Hotline include:
- About 1,100 signals were used to indicate trafficking situations statewide.
- More than 200 cases of sex trafficking were identified throughout Missouri.
- All eight venues of sex trafficking were reported as involved in situations throughout the state.
All Missourians share in experiencing the national and global health concerns of human trafficking. Community members statewide can also unite to support safety from the illegal practice. The Department of Homeland Security offers some online safety tips. These tips can prevent exposure to trafficking on social media or the web for youth and adults alike.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol also shares ways to help stop trafficking in the state:
- Review the list of human trafficking indicators. The presence or absence of these indicators may not serve as proof of trafficking. All may not be present in each trafficking situation. Yet knowing the indicators can make you more likely to recognize the crime when it occurs.
- Learn what you can safely do if you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking. Your actions should depend on the safety conditions of each unique situation. You may be able to ask suspected trafficking victims targeted questions. Documenting the details of any vehicle involved can also be helpful. But one important note: You should never attempt to rescue suspected victims yourself.
- Report suspected cases of human trafficking to the proper authorities. You can report potential trafficking cases to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free. The hotline takes reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 888-373-7888. Text and chat options are also available. Call 911 or *55 in emergencies to receive immediate local help.
The internet serves as a state hot spot for minors
The internet is a common source of trafficking exposure in Missouri and other parts of the country. The source of exposure is pervasive among youth in the state.
In 2021, minors accounted for as many as 43% of identified victims in trafficking situations statewide. The Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force is “responsible for investigating technology-related offenses, involving children as victims, for 22 southwest Missouri counties.” In 2022, the task force found more than 2,100 child victims of online exploitation. Almost 60 of these victims came from the Southwest region of Missouri.
High rates of online sex crimes involving youth are not new to the area. In 2017, the Western District of Missouri filed more “Project Safe Childhood” cases — which involve the sexual exploitation of children online — than all but four districts in the country.
Chip Root serves as the commander of SMCCTF. In the 2018 Springfield News-Leader report, he shares that the task force opened 540 cases in 2017. They further arrested 94 people. According to the Joplin Police Department, in 2022, the number of cases opened by the task force doubled to 1,113. While their arrests reached only 56 during the year, they share that many cases remain on the backlog.
The higher case numbers reflect significant growth in trafficking concerns among Missouri communities. Meeting these concerns starts with Missouri residents having awareness that local trafficking happens. Residents can then channel this knowledge into preventative action.
The ways you can help foster safety statewide
All Missourians share in experiencing the national and global health concerns of human trafficking. Community members statewide can also unite to support safety from the illegal practice. The Department of Homeland Security offers some online safety tips. These tips can prevent exposure to trafficking on social media or the web for youth and adults alike.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol also shares ways to help stop trafficking in the state:
- Review the list of human trafficking indicators. The presence or absence of these indicators may not serve as proof of trafficking. All may not be present in each trafficking situation. Yet knowing the indicators can make you more likely to recognize the crime when it occurs.
- Learn what you can safely do if you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking. Your actions should depend on the safety conditions of each unique situation. You may be able to ask suspected trafficking victims targeted questions. Documenting the details of any vehicle involved can also be helpful. But one important note: You should never attempt to rescue suspected victims yourself.
- Report suspected cases of human trafficking to the proper authorities. You can report potential trafficking cases to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free. The hotline takes reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 888-373-7888. Text and chat options are also available. Call 911 or *55 in emergencies to receive immediate local help.