On Monday, the FBI announced a nationwide sweep called "Operation Cross Country," where law enforcement rescued over 200 sex trafficking victims, including 84 children.
"Unfortunately, such crimes — against both adults and children — are far more common than most people realize. As we did in this operation, the FBI and our partners will continue to find and arrest traffickers, identify and help victims, and raise awareness of the exploitation [of] our most vulnerable populations."
- Christopher Wray, FBI Director
In August, 391 operations were conducted over a two-week period by more than 200 state, local, federal partners, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Law enforcement officers located 141 adult victims of human trafficking and 84 victims of child sex trafficking.
Investigators arrested 85 people suspected in human trafficking and child sex exploitation.
In 2021, children made up more than half of all trafficking victims in the US, according to the Human Trafficking Institute.
