A new data chart mapping the prevalence of human trafficking across the United States shows where victims are most at risk.
According to data compiled by Joslyn Law Firm, Nevada ranks first in the number of trafficking victims per capita, with Georgia and Mississippi following closely behind.
“Americans find it incredibly difficult to believe that the problem exists within our borders,” Hope for Justice founder Natalie Grant told RELEVANT. “We struggle every day to get people to believe it is happening in their community. But it is. It’s just really well hidden.”
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, approximately 90% of human trafficking victims in Nevada are female, with about 21% being minors. Las Vegas’ reputation makes it particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
On the other end of the spectrum, Rhode Island has the lowest rates of trafficking victims per capita, and it’s also the only state that has fewer than 10 victims per 100,000 people. This is likely due to targeted initiatives, including a Human Trafficking Task Force and a Sex Trafficking Law Enforcement Task Force, which focus on prevention and victim support.
Working alongside those task forces are anti-trafficking organizations like Hope for Justice and the A21 Campaign, founded by author and speaker Christine Caine.
“Often, I think, because we think, ‘I can’t do it all,’ we end up being paralyzed. So we do nothing,” Caine said. “But if we understand we can’t do everything but we all must do something, and we all find the one thing that we can do, then we’ll find that together we will all make such a huge difference and we’ll be able to put a stop to this.”
Check out the full visual chart below:
