It’s crucial to bring attention to the devastating reality of human trafficking, a pervasive crime that impacts countless individuals globally. This abhorrent practice is a stark truth, not a mere fabrication, and it inflicts immense suffering on its victims.

The connection between foster care and human trafficking is a stark reality that demands urgent attention. It is alarming to note that foster children are particularly vulnerable to falling prey to traffickers. The unfortunate truth is that many foster children are viewed as mere commodities, seen as a source of income rather than as individuals deserving of love, care, and protection.

This dehumanizing perspective instilled in foster children by some caregivers can have devastating consequences, leaving them susceptible to exploitation and manipulation by traffickers. The insidious cycle perpetuated by this mindset not only undermines the inherent worth and dignity of these children but also exposes them to grave dangers.

It is crucial to recognize that the vast majority of sex trafficking survivors have had prior interactions with child welfare services, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms and enhanced protective measures within the foster care system. Every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves to be valued, supported, and safeguarded from the horrors of trafficking.

We must come together as a society to address this pressing issue, to advocate for the rights and well-being of foster children, and to create a safer environment where they can thrive and be shielded from exploitation. Let us stand united in our commitment to protect the most vulnerable among us and to ensure that no child is ever viewed as a mere commodity but as a precious individual deserving of care, respect, and dignity.

At Foster Kids Need Organization, we are dedicated to increasing understanding of this pressing issue and implementing measures to address it.

See, Foster care children are easy prey for predators: They disappear without a real search Predators think no one will look for these missing kids in foster care. Today, unfortunately, they are right. Darcy Olsen, Opinion contributor US Today