KANSAS CITY, Mo. -The FBI finds 84 victims of child sex trafficking, 37 actively missing children, and 141 adult victims of human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Unfortunately, such crimes—against both adults and children—are far more common than most people realize. As we did in this operation, the FBI and our partners will continue to find and arrest traffickers, identify and help victims, and raise awareness of the exploitation our most vulnerable populations.”
(>>KOAM’s Shannon Becker looks at local agencies involved in “Operation Cross Country”)
“Operation Cross Country” took place over two weeks in August. The FBI worked with state and local partners nationwide. They released some silent video of moments during the operation. You can watch it above.
The average age of the child victims they found was 15.5, while the youngest victim was 11 years old.
Officials say they’ve identified or arrested 85 suspects.
“The success of Operation Cross County reinforces what NCMEC sees every day. Children are being bought and sold for sex in communities across the country by traffickers, gangs and even family members,” said Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO National Center for Missing & Exploited Children “We’re proud to support the FBI’s efforts to prioritize the safety of children.”
>>More KOAM Articles:
- Rapha House and Joplin police train and address human trafficking
- Pittsburg professionals discuss human trafficking
- Kansas Attorney General seeks to combat Human Trafficking
Resources for Victims of Trafficking, Exploitation, Tipsters
- Victim Services Division
- Crimes Against Children
- Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section
- Operation Cross Country 2022
- Inside the FBI Podcast: Combating Human Trafficking
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