Modern-day slavery is human sex trafficking

  The international sex trade is still a major issue around the world. The most widespread kind of modern-day slavery is human sex trafficking. The number of domestic and foreign victims, largely women and children exploited in the commercial sex industry for little or no money, is estimated to be in the millions. Human trafficking and sex slavery bring up pictures of young girls being beaten and exploited in far-off locations such as Eastern Europe, Asia, or Africa. While in reality human sex trafficking and sex slavery occur on a local level in both large and small cities and towns across the United States (Walker-Rodriguez & Hill, 2011). Human sex trafficking is not only enslavement, but also a significant industry. It is the world's third-largest criminal enterprise and the fastest-growing organized crime operation. The bulk of sex trafficking victims are transported from less developed locations such as South and Southeast Asia, the former Soviet Union, Central and South America, and transported to more developed areas such as Asia, the Middle East, Western Europe, and North America. Unfortunately, sex trafficking occurs in the United States as well. The United States is not only dealing with an influx of overseas victims, but it also has its own domestic problem of kids being trafficked across state lines. The US has made stopping human traffickers, protecting victims, and preventing this crime a high priority. Combating human trafficking necessitates a holistic approach. Within the government, this entails collaboration and coordination between agencies with a variety of responsibilities, such as criminal justice, labor enforcement, victim outreach and services, public awareness, education, trade policy and promotion, international development and programs, customs and immigration, intelligence, and diplomacy. An integrated response to human trafficking that leverages resources and amplifies results requires coordinated federal activities that include state, local, and tribal agencies, the private sector, civil society, survivors, religious communities, and academics (U.S. Department of State, 2021).