FBI Anti Sex Trade Operation Saves Lives.
FBIÂ Operation Cross Country XI is an operation that seeks to take down the sex trade. But their “primary goal is to recover children.” After they rescue the children they focus in on their needs by getting them whatever social services they may require. Operation Cross Country is Part of The Innocence Lost National Initiative Program that started in 2003.
Operation Cross Country XI has saved 82 minors and arrested 120 people nationwide this year. The average age of a rescued minor is 15 but some can be as young 3. Traffickers often target children that are “damaged” as they are easier to lure off.
“The more ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) that someone has the higher likelihood that they’ll experience other forms of trauma and abuse in life,” said Myles the CEOÂ of Polaris, a company that recently opened a sex trafficking hotline.
Operation Cross Country XI is a nationwide effort with over “55 FBI field offices and 78 FBI-led Child Exploitation Task Forces composed of more than 500 law enforcement agencies.” The sting operations took place at hotels, truck stops, casinos, and through the use of multiple internet social sites.
Since the start of the Innocence Lost National Initiative, there have been over 6500 children rescued from sex slave trade. Sex Trafficking is an ongoing nationwide issue, countless offenders have been arrested due to this program but it is the equivalent to whack-a-mole fair game. Once you take one down another shortly appears in his/her place.