6-22-2023 12:21pm

Child Trafficking

Lorraine Mabbett Editor

A symbolic release of "Sound of Freedom" July 3rd prior to Independence Day frames the story of Tim Ballard, founder of Anaheim anti-sex trafficking non-profit "Operation Underground".

The 2023 movie "Sound of Freedom" will be released in Southern California July 3rd at multiple locations throughout the San Fernando Valley. The movie brings attention to the horrific crime of human (specifically child) trafficking. Tickets & Locations

It is based on the story of Tim Ballard of Orange County a former U.S. Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team. He is founder of "Operation Underground" which is a major force in the undermining of the effects and power of human trafficking.

Clarification of common misunderstandings & risk for teenagers

One of the entry points to human trafficking, especially of teenagers, is misjudgment in posting a self-portrait which then is a gateway for human traffickers to target students.
Trafficking victims are controlled not only through physical abuse but with the use of threats and psychological abuse, making it unlikely that victims would report abuse or self-identify.
Trafficking does not require the transporting of a person and is not the same as people smuggling. Foreign nationals and U.S. citizens are trafficked. Persons of all races and ages are trafficked. About the ABA Task Force on Human Trafficking (americanbar.org)

How can I identify human trafficking?

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, 2022), seven of the most common indicators to help recognize human trafficking are:

Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

References Department of Homeland Security. (2022, March 21). Indicators of Human Trafficking. Blue Campaign. https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/indicators-human-trafficking

How can I identify human trafficking? (ourrescue.org)

Interview with Roger Young, a retired FBI Agent who specialized in child pornography and obscenity cases (catholicnewsagency.com)

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