Child Abuse ‘Almost at an Epidemic Level' in U.S., Human trafficking: The lives bought and sold

- FBI: Child Abuse ‘Almost at an Epidemic Level' in U.S. 
- Sex trafficking: Lifelong struggle of exploited children
- Human trafficking: The lives bought and sold


FBI: Child Abuse ‘Almost at an Epidemic Level' in U.S. 
Tara John July 30, 2015

The bureau rescued 600 children last year  Tens of thousands of children are being sexually exploited each year in the U.S., according to an investigation by the BBC.  Despite rescuing 600 children last year, the FBI says child sex abuse is at epidemic levels where tens of thousands of children are believed to be sexually exploited in the country each year. "The level of paedophilia is unprecedented right now," Joseph Campbell of the FBI told the BBC.

Campbell, who works in the Criminal Investigation Division, has seen individuals from all walks of life engaged in both child pornography and child exploitation, calling it a problem "almost at an epidemic level." Hundreds of American children are also being sold into sex, according to the BBC, where poverty and neglect are thought to be some of the main reasons why young kids are vulnerable to sex trafficking.... http://time.com/3978236/american-children-sold-sex/

Sex trafficking: Lifelong struggle of exploited children  By Ian Pannell BBC News 30 July 2015
In the US, poverty, deprivation and exploitation draw thousands of its own children down into a dark underworld that offers few ways out.   It is a world few Americans are aware of. But tens of thousands of American children are thought to be sexually exploited every year.  It's believed that every night hundreds are sold for sex.   The FBI says child sex abuse is almost at an epidemic level, despite the agency rescuing 600 children last year....  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33710224

Human trafficking: The lives bought and sold
28 July 2015

Millions of men, women and children around the world are currently victims of human trafficking - bought and sold as commodities into prostitution and forced labour. This trade in people criss-crosses the globe - and it is a lucrative business. The International Labour Office estimates that forced labour generates $150bn (£96bn) in illegal profits every year. Two thirds ($99bn; £63bn) comes from sexual exploitation.

But who are the people behind the numbers?
Kemi and Bilkisu, from Nigeria, Jane from the UK and Gabby from the US describe how they fell prey to traffickers. 

Kemi's story, Nigeria
Thousands of women and girls from West Africa are bought and sold every year - most end up in Europe. The UN's Office on Drugs and Crime estimates West African trafficking victims, many of whom originate in Nigeria, make up about 10% of those forced into sex work in Western Europe.
Benin City, in Nigeria's south, is a key player - with networks and infrastructure built around the trade in people....

Gabby's story, US
It is a similar story in the United States, where tens of thousands of children are being trafficked into prostitution. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says child exploitation is at "near-epidemic levels".  Gabby, from Baltimore, says she was abused by her father between the ages of eight and 12 - a relationship that she feels has influenced how she interacts with men. "I learnt very early that you could get things that you wanted or needed through sexual favours," she says. Gabby says she turned to drugs and fell into a relationship with an addict who, years later, pushed her into prostitution.... http://www.bbc.com/news/world-33592634