Human Trafficking is modern-day slavery, plain and simple. It happens here. And it has to stop.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is committed to understanding and fighting Human Trafficking. Our state has consistently been ranked among the best in the nation for its approach to this crime, as a growing number of advocates -- from law enforcement to nonprofits to government agencies -- have stepped up to play a part in the solution.
Consider the facts:
-In the United States, on average, every two minutes, a child is bought or sold for sex.
-The average age of a child sold for sex is 13 years old.
-Human Trafficking is the second-fastest growing criminal industry, just behind Drug Trafficking.
In recent years, the TBI commissioned several comprehensive studies in an attempt to better understand the issue in Tennessee.
- 2013: The Geography of Trafficking in Tennessee
- 2011: Tennessee Human Sex Trafficking & Its Impact on Children & Youth
In 2014, the TBI launched a public awareness campaign to inform the state about Human Trafficking, and more importantly, what can be done about it. Online, you'll find more information, videos, warning signs, and a list of nonprofits committed to the fight in need of your support. Together, we believe we can put and to this kind of crime.