On January 8, 2014 Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for one minute regarding human trafficking . What he said was absolutely shocking!
“Mr. Speaker, the crime of human trafficking is complex and it is destructive. It shatters the lives of its victims and their loved ones. In an effort to bring attention to this modern-day form of slavery, we recognize January 11, 2014, as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.”
“This multibillion dollar criminal industry exists in every State. The statistics are stunning, and it is essential this national awareness day shed light on a human rights tragedy which occurs in every region across our Nation”, he said.
“Though the impact of this crime affects men, women, and children, approximately 80 percent of all human trafficking victims are women, and nearly half are minors. Overall, there are 21 million individuals who are victims of forced labor in a $32 billion industry that is only second to drug trafficking as the most profitable form of international crime. Combating human trafficking requires commitment and cooperation at all levels of government and among agencies and among nonprofits. I see this collaboration taking root in my district in Pennsylvania”, said Rep. Fitzpatrick http://thomas.loc.gov).
See related source of information: http://www.ice.gov/human-trafficking/