The issue of human trafficking, particularly the trafficking of children for sexual exploitation, is a pervasive and deeply concerning problem. Recent reports from the FBI have shed light on the scale of this issue, with the rescue of 200 sex trafficking victims, including 59 missing children, in a major nationwide operation. These findings underscore the alarming vulnerability of children to sex trafficking, as highlighted by the fact that the average age of entry into sex trafficking is just 12 years old. In Oklahoma, as in many other parts of the world, children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, runaway and homeless youth, and those with drug addictions are among the most vulnerable to this heinous crime. The need for concerted efforts to combat human trafficking and protect the most vulnerable members of society is unmistakably urgent 13.
In Oklahoma, there are specific laws addressing child sex trafficking, missing children, and sex abuse involving a child. Here are some key points from the search results:
Child Sex Trafficking
- Trafficking in Humans: In Oklahoma, trafficking in humans is a felony offense punishable by a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Anyone under the age of 18 found to be engaged in “sexually explicit performances, prostitution, participation in the production of pornography, performance in a strip club, or exotic dancing or display” is assumed to be a victim 2.
- Penalties: Child sex trafficking penalties depend on the age of the victim. If the victim is aged 14 to 17, the offense is punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. If the victim is under the age of 14, child sex trafficking carries a minimum sentence of 15 years to life 3.
Children account for half of the victims of human trafficking worldwide, with the average age of entry into sex trafficking being 12 years old. In Oklahoma, the specific quantity of missing children involved in sex trafficking is not provided in the search results. However, it is mentioned that of the more than 25,000 cases of children reported missing to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in 2022, 1 in 6 were likely victims of child sex trafficking 2. Additionally, a news article reported that the FBI found 59 missing children in a major nationwide human trafficking operation 4. The search results highlight the vulnerability of children to sex trafficking, particularly those in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, runaway and homeless youth, unaccompanied foreign national children without lawful immigration status, Native Americans and Alaska Natives, individuals with drug addictions, and migrant laborers 1.
Missing Children
- Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect: Child victims of human trafficking, due to their status as crime victims, are placed in appropriate facilities as per 21 O.S. 1.
- State’s Kidnapping Statutes: The state’s kidnapping statutes define human trafficking as modern-day slavery and include provisions related to child sex trafficking 4.
The quantity of missing children in Oklahoma is not explicitly provided in the search results. The most recent data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is for 2022, which reported 320 total missing child entries for Oklahoma 2. Additionally, a news article from 2022 mentioned that in 2021, there were 755 children reported missing in Tulsa, Oklahoma 4. For the most current and comprehensive information on missing children in Oklahoma, it is recommended to contact the Oklahoma Missing Persons Clearinghouse or the local law enforcement agency 3.
Sex Abuse Involving a Child
- Sexual Exploitation: State law includes but is not limited to allowing, permitting, encouraging, or forcing a child to engage in prostitution, as defined by law, by any person eighteen (18) years of age or older or by a person responsible for the health, safety, or welfare of a child 4.
- Penalties: Child prostitution, or prostitution involving a minor under the age of 16, is a felony punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000 3.
The laws aim to protect children from exploitation and provide severe penalties for those involved in child sex trafficking and related offenses.
The specific quantities involving sex abuse involving a child in Oklahoma are not explicitly provided in the search results. However, it is mentioned that children account for half of the victims of human trafficking worldwide, with the average age of entry into sex trafficking being 12 years old 2. Additionally, in Oklahoma, anyone under the age of 18 found to be engaged in “sexually explicit performances, prostitution, participation in the production of pornography, performance in a strip club, or exotic dancing or display” is assumed to be a victim of trafficking 4. While the search results do not provide specific quantities, they emphasize the vulnerability of children to sex trafficking and the measures in place to address and prevent such exploitation.
What Can I Do
The Oklahoma Coalition Against Human Trafficking (OCAT) is a multidisciplinary collaborative effort that seeks to connect trafficking survivors with individualized resources, advocate on their behalf, and empower them as they move towards a life of hope, healing, and freedom. OCAT’s evidence-based and data-informed approach, along with its commitment to incorporating the strengths of individuals with lived experience, underpins its comprehensive efforts to address human trafficking in the state. Additionally, Veterans For Child Rescue is another vital organization that focuses on combating child sex trafficking and exploitation. By leveraging the resources and expertise of these organizations, individuals and communities can play a crucial role in raising awareness, preventing trafficking, and supporting survivors in Oklahoma 1.