China to Execute Child Traffickers

I know that this article does not relate to any U.S cases. However I still wanted to include this as most of the products that are sold in the U.S are made in China. Please take the time to learn more about child labor trafficking as this is an issue that affects many children all over the world, including the U.S.

China will execute two men convicted of child trafficking. Li Diji is accused of trafficking 23 children and Wu Suiquing 17. The going rate according to China Daily, was equivalent to $4 500. Eleven others were on trial at the same time for child trafficking. In this case, children were abducted from Sichuan Province and sold in Fujian.
China is taking a serious approach to what is becoming an increasing problem. They have adopted the UN supplementary protocols to coordinate cross border efforts. The incidence of child abduction has increased in China year over year by 45%. Between 30 000 and 60 000 children are reported missing in China every year so even a small increase is very worrisome.
Various Reasons for Human Trafficking
When we think of human trafficking many of us first think of children and women who are sold as sex slaves, but boys and men are trafficked as well. The International Labor Organization estimates that worldwide about 12 million people are trafficked. The majority are enslaved or indentured for cheap labor, whether it is to make cheap goods, household servants, or construction workers.

An update on the Shaniya Davis Case

FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayetteville mother of murdered 5-year-old Shaniya Davis is expected in court Wednesday. Antoinette Davis is accused of prostituting her daughter. She is charged with human trafficking, felony child abuse, prostitution and filing a false police report.

Last November, Davis reported her daughter missing. The 5-year-old’s body was found a few days later in a ditch in Lee County. Mario McNeill is charged with kidnapping, raping and murdering her.

Tampa-area task force targets child prostitution

By JOSH POLTILOVE and JOSÉ PATIÑO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2010

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nowBuzz up!TAMPA – Sometimes the pimps recruit them on the streets, preying on children from broken homes. Others are found on the Internet.

The pimp nurtures the child, working to gain trust, affection and respect. When the bond is sealed, the juvenile is forced into prostitution.

“They get the promise of love and a life,” Tampa police Detective Mike Victor said. “The only thing they see is the inside of a motel room.”

Roughly five years ago, the FBI started a national initiative to halt juvenile prostitution. Locally, the Tampa Area Crimes Against Children Task Force was formed in 2009.

Comprised of investigators from Tampa police, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, the task force has rescued 43 youngsters in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

They ranged in age from 13 to 17. One was a boy.

About 70 percent of the juveniles were in the state foster care system, FBI Special Agent Greg Christopher said.

“When it comes down to it, they are victims,” he said. “No kid is going to make a conscious effort to become a prostitute. It goes from coercion to full-fledged force.”

To demonstrate his power, the pimp might burn the child with cigarettes, brand her with his name or rape her.

Since the task force started working cases during the 2009 Super Bowl in Tampa, investigators have arrested 10 to 15 pimps, Christopher said.

In one operation, undercover agents scouring Craigslist found an advertisement for erotic services from someone who appeared underage. After asking for the Super Bowl Special, a detective was quoted a price of $300 for two girls and was met at a Marriott in Tampa by an 18-year-old and a girl who claimed to be 17 but was actually 14.

In another incident in July, a Tampa man was arrested on sex trafficking charges after the task force said he pimped out a 17-year-old girl in a hotel room.

In most cases, the juveniles aren’t prosecuted, Victor said.

But it’s a battle to keep the youngsters from returning to prostitution – they’re intimidated by their pimps and the streets are what they know.

“We consider it a success if we can save one kid’s life out of five,” Christopher said.

The children can be reunited with family or set up with a foster family. Some are sent to the Girls Education and Mentoring Service in New York or the Children of the Night in California, organizations that help young prostitutes seek better lives, Christopher said.

This month, Christopher received the State/Federal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award in relation to crimes against children.

“It’s a group effort. It’s not just me. We do it as a team,” he said. “For a lot of these kids, they don’t have a voice.”

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7961.