The Kentucky Derby is known for the horse racing and gambling. Yet, something more sinister looms around the time of the Kentucky Derby. It is human trafficking.
Fox News reports, “Authorities are seeking help in cracking down on sex traffickers trying to cash in on the huge crowds converging for the world’s most famous horse race.”
Authorities trained hotel staff and truck drivers to recognize the signs of human trafficking and how to report it.
WKMS 91.3 FM explains, “Authorities are seeking help in cracking down on sex traffickers trying to cash in on the huge crowds converging for the world’s most famous horse race.”
One man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking.
WAVE states, “Authorities point to some successes in their efforts. A Michigan man convicted of sex trafficking in Kentucky was recently sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison. The man was swept up in a prostitution sting operation about the time of the Derby.”
The reason for the efforts to train ordinary people to stop human trafficking, is so the authorities can better crackdown on more human traffickers and rescue more people out of slavery or prostitution.
Per Fox News, “Authorities are seeking help in cracking down on sex traffickers trying to cash in on the huge crowds converging for the world’s most famous horse race.”
Last year, there were 28 human trafficking cases.
WKMS 91.3 explains, “In 2016, the state attorney general’s assisted with 28 human trafficking investigations. Large sporting events can be magnets for human trafficking.”
When it gets around the time of the Kentucky Derby, traffickers start coming in from out of town.
WAVE reports, “‘Word gets around about Kentucky Derby,’ Kasey Fitch, a human trafficking survivor, said. ‘You know that’s where all the money is. Tons of people come from out of town and they bring girls from out of town.’”
One crackdown in the past involved a 14-year-old girl, who was going to be sold as a prostitute.
Per WKMS 91.3, “Last year during Derby week, a 14-year-old girl was rescued from her abuser. The girl had been brought to Louisville from Michigan to work as a prostitute. Her abuser was sentenced in federal court in Louisville this week for a prostitution sting coinciding with the Kentucky Derby. “
Hope For Justice seeks to combat Human Trafficking by rescuing victims.
Hope For Justice explains, “Hope for Justice has a four part strategy; we identify and rescue victims, train frontline professionals to identify and refer cases of slavery, advocate on behalf of victims and provide restorative care to rebuild individual futures.”
Pray for an end to Human Trafficking. Pray for more of those stuck in Human Trafficking would be rescued. Pray that those rescued would come to know Christ’s hope.
Fox News: Kentucky Derby season draws warnings of human trafficking
WKMS 91.3: Attorney General’s Office Warns of Human Trafficking Ahead of KY Derby
