Episode 4: Missing Children - The Runaway Teen Epidemic

On this episode of Real Talk, we discuss Missing Children: The Teen Runaway Epidemic with our guests Lt. Jeremy Lindauer and Corporal Alan Wilket. Both bring extensive experience in anti sex trafficking work from a law enforcement perspective. 

According to the FBI in 2019 there were 421,394 entries for missing children were reported by all Law Enforcement Agencies in the United States. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports over 90% of missing children entries represent teen runaways and that 1 in 6 teen runaways where likely victims of sex trafficking. That represents a very large demographic that is extremely vulnerable. Runaway and homeless youth lack a strong supportive network and runaway to an unfamiliar environment that puts them particularly at risk to trafficking.  

The US Dept. of State's Global Trafficking in Person or TIP Report just came out in June for the year of 2019 that gives us great insight into human trafficking. 

Our guests help us better understand the TIP report, share insight regarding obstacles law enforcement face, and how our communities can better utilize data and technology in fighting this epidemic.

Episode Resources:
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2019 
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Stats
FBI/Law Enforcement Stats (bottom pg. 5) 
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: Trafficking