Unfortunately, human trafficking still exists in a lot of parts of the world and the US is no exception.
Worldwide, on a yearly basis, millions of men, women, and children are kidnapped, coerced or lured away to some type of forced labor or sexual exploitation..
In the US, several federal agencies are working daily to fight human trafficking. Most of them are under a parent organization, i.e. the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.
This committee controls the activities of several agencies and departments throughout the country that are helping in the fight against human trafficking. One that particularly stands out is the Saved in America or SIAM organization based in San Diego.
These retired US Navy Seals, police detectives, and other specialists work together to rescue kids from human trafficking.
SIAM’s Efforts to Rescue Kids from Human Trafficking
The co-founder of the group, the renowned private investigator Joseph Travers, hired retired US Navy Seals, police detectives, and other specialist after his retirement.
He was well aware that prison gangs, street gangs, and cartels took over the drug trafficking in the 80s and then they took over sex trafficking too.
Travers, after the abduction, rape, and horrific death of teen Brittanee Drexel from Rochester, New York, knew he had to help these young men and women and save them from the ring of trafficking.
They helped rescue the daughter of David and Maureen from Compton, California a week after they were contacted. Along with her friend, their daughter took a ride from an older man with a BMW who took them to Los Angeles.
Travers notes that these rescues are possible thanks to the funding from their supports, including the William D. Lynch Foundation. This foundation also helped recruit, train, and license all of the volunteers in the team.
What Does the SIAM Organization Do to Fight Off Human Trafficking?
Through several channels, the SIAM investigate missing juvenile cases and conduct surveillance.
Then, together with the local police, they work to rescue the kids. They’ve also established a system that transfers the victims into treatment.
SIAM is praised for their high-tech investigations and dramatic rescues; however, for Special Operations Chief, Toshiro Carrington, Travers’ planning and organization skills are the main ‘culprit’ for their high success.
For Carrington, a former US Navy Seal, what he does is easy. Their goal is to work within the system as it exists.
Travers’ drawer is full of letters from law enforcement officials praising his team, their practices, and their successes.
To date, they have 58 out of 58 rescues.
The son of Travers, Joshua Travers, a former US Marine and the case manager of SAIM says that people are unaware that this is happening in their backyards and it’s not something you hear of in a distant country with poor people.
It could very well be the next-door kid, your kid or anyone’s kid.
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