When hearing the words “human trafficking,” most people have mental images of young girls and women being beaten and abused (Walker- Rodriguez and Hill, 2011). Often people's mental images automatically assume that these victims of human trafficking are from Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa (Walker-Rodriguez and Hill, 2011). Unfortunately, human trafficking is a global problem (Jac-Kucharski) and happens every day in the cities and towns around us. Unfortunately, human trafficking is not as easy to recognize as other crimes and requires law enforcement and the public to understand what types of signs to look for in a victim. It is estimated that between 14,500 and 17,500 foreign citizens are trafficked every year (Force 4 Compassion, Project Polaris). The Polaris Project and Force 4 Compassion found that 161 countries are affected by trafficking. Globally, approximately 50% of trafficking victims are minors and 80% of total trafficking victims are women (Forza 4 Compassion, Project Polaris). 70% of female victims are forced into sex work, leaving only 30% of these women working (Polaris Project). The average age range for a child to start using sex work is 12-14 years (WEDU). One of the main reasons for trafficking is that it is difficult to identify and traffickers can earn a good amount of money per victim. According to the Polaris project, $13,000 represents the average amount of money earned annually by each worker (victim). While the average is $13,000, each worker can earn around $60,000 per year (Polaris Project). Unfortunately, victims recruited into trafficking often do not live more than seven years due to the inhumane way in which they are treated (WEDU). Human trafficking has two categories, sex and laboratory... middle of paper... ..... London, UK: Sage.Force 4 Compassion. (n.d.). Compassion Strength 4. Retrieved March 7, 2014, from http://www.f-4-c.org Jac-Kucharski, A. (2012). The determinants of human trafficking: a case study in the United States. International migration. 50:6, 150-165. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2435.2012.00777.xLogan, TK., Walker, R. Hunt, G. (2009). Understanding human trafficking in the United States. Trauma, violence and abuse. January. 10: 3-30,doi:10.1177/1524838008327262Polaris Project | Fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. (nd).Polaris Project | Combating Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery. Retrieved March 7, 2014, from http://www.polarisproject.org Walker-Rodriguez, A., Hill, R. “Human Sex Trafficking.” FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. March 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2014. (www.fbi.gov) WEDU. (2013). Too close to home. [Documentary]. United States: PBS.