Facts and Stats

•The U.N. Estimates that 27 million people are enslaved worldwide. That is more than at any other time in history. 80% of victims are female, of which, 50% are children (Kevin Bales of Free the Slaves and US Dept. of Justice)

•Human Trafficking is the fastest growing black market crime on the planet second only to drug dealing and generating an estimated $32 billion dollars per year (the U.N.)

•The average age of entry into commercial sex in this country is 12-14 year old (UNICEF)

•Females are typically sold for the purpose of sex. Domestic victims report being forced to service as many as 10 men per day on average. International victims report as many as 40 per day (Breaking Free)

•Minnesota is ranked one of the top 13 states in the nation for highest incidence in recruitment of minors (FBI)

•In 2010, the on-line sales of minor girls being sold in MN increased by 55% over a six month period (Schapiro Group Study)

•When asked, 89% of women and girls used in prostitution wanted to get out but didn’t know where to turn for help (Journal of Trauma Practice 2, 2003)

Breaking Free Internal Statistics: Facts About the Women and Girls in our Program

• 85% are victims of rape/molestation before the age of 18
• 95% use drugs/alcohol to numb the pain
• 83% are victims of assault with a deadly weapon
• 57% have been kidnapped at some point
• 60-90% are without safe housing
• 100% are someone’s daughter, sister, and/or mother