Reclaim13
Reclaim13
Human trafficking
Our Mission
Reclaim13’s mission is to end the cycle of sexual exploitation. This cycle begins in an individual’s life, and without intervention, continues into the next generation. Most trafficked children were sexually abused, neglected, or received other forms of maltreatment as children. Once abused, a child is more vulnerable to further abuse and, potentially, exploitation. Child sexual exploitation has potential long-term consequences in the life path of survivors, including vulnerabilities for intimate partner violence, further abuse, and involvement in damaging relationships. Reclaim13 intervenes in this cycle and works toward a world where all children can grow up feeling safe and loved.
13 Facts About Human Trafficking and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
1. 13 is a critical age in a child’s life, when he/she is more vulnerable to many forms of manipulation and
exploitation. Most children who are exploited were first abused prior to this age.
2. Girls and boys, trafficked in the United States, are typically American kids. Trafficking has been reported in all
50 states.
3. Most victims of sex trafficking experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact or abuse prior to sexual
exploitation. (Of all childhood adversities, sexual abuse is the strongest predictor of human trafficking, NIH).
4. The most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation, according to the Global Report on
Trafficking in Persons by the United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). In the United States, most victims
are first exploited as children.
5. 1 in 6 children reported missing are likely victims of sex trafficking. Trafficking by the Numbers, NCMEC
6. Predators manipulate through popular technology like social media, apps and games to contact and entrap
children to exploit them. Online exploitation spiked amid coronavirus pandemic.
7. Many common items we purchase regularly may be connected human trafficking. Here’s What’s *Really* Behind
the Shimmer in Your Fave Makeup
8. In 2019, 88% of reports to the National Human Trafficking Hotline were related to sex trafficking.
9. In 2019, the NCMEC CyberTipline received 16.9 million reports related to suspected child sexual exploitation.
Number of reports in largest centralized reporting system .
10. Many victims of trafficking had little recourse, but Illinois and federal laws passed recently allow trafficking
victims to sue their captors for damages. U.S. Department of Justice Victims Assistance and Compensation, New
Laws Ramp Up Protection for Human Trafficking Victims
11. Victims suffer not only physically and emotionally (including trauma, PTSD, and attempted suicide), but often
from social rejection and ostracism as well. We can help victims know they are loved and valued with specialized
care. More at reclaim13.org. 7 Facts You Didn’t Know about Human Trafficking
12. It takes the collaborative efforts of many to end domestic minor sex trafficking. Illinois Human Trafficking Task
Force Report
13. Traffickers and abusers use tactics to create traumatic bonding with their victims to control and exploit. By
getting involved, we can create healthy bonds for vulnerable children. People often stay in abusive relationships
because of something called ‘trauma bonding’ – here are the signs it’s happening to you
Ending the Cycle
13 IS THE AGE when a child is most vulnerable to sexual exploitation. “RECLAIM” is what we do. We reclaim the lives of children impacted by sexual exploitation
Need help? Crisis Hotline: 312.462.3306
General Information: 630.209.4554 | info@reclaim13.org
Address: 2200 S Main St. Suite 306, Lombard, IL, 60148
