On November 2 and 3, 2023, a law enforcement operation in Tennessee successfully rescued 13 children from potential trafficking situations in Memphis, Tennessee.
The operation identified and rescued children aged 11 to 17, including a two-month-old infant, who were in danger of being trafficked.
Conducted by federal and local agencies, the “Operation Not for Sale” spanned two days and targeted children susceptible to trafficking.
The initiative focused on children from backgrounds of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or unstable family conditions, making them prone to exploitation.
In 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported more than 17,200 child sex trafficking incidents and about 25,000 cases of runaway children, signifying a major issue in the United States.
Combating trafficking involves diverse strategies, as suggested by the Administration for Children and Families and the Polaris Project. These include public awareness, learning to recognize trafficking indicators, and supporting anti-trafficking groups.
This operation mirrors the efforts of “Operation Music City Missing” in Nashville, from September 26-27, which resulted in the recovery of 12 minors, demonstrating the critical role of coordinated law enforcement efforts in addressing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals.
