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Rotary Club guest gives child trafficking overview


The following meeting summary was submitted by Michael Robinson, a member of the Rotary Club of Uvalde.

Children are selected by customers of child trafficking organizations and orders are placed for specific children online to be abducted and delivered in exchange for money, said Gloria Wilson, Rotary International assistant District 5840 governor.

Wilson, who was a guest at Thursday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Uvalde at the Uvalde Country Club, told about a real incident that occurred in San Antonio.

One pre-adolescent girl was abducted after her mother posted birthday party pictures of her on social media. Once traffickers become aware of specific children, they advertise them to customers who want to buy them for sex slavery, prostitution or worse.

The girl was abducted a few days later, but was rescued by someone who noticed the girl inside a vehicle in a retail parking lot. The girl was accompanied by two or three men in a vehicle. The witness noticed one of the men pushing the girls head down toward the seat.

As the car drove away, the woman followed the suspicious vehicle and called police. The abducted girl was ultimately rescued unharmed.

“It doesn’t matter if you are in a small town that seems safe, any child can be identified and potentially be abducted, “ Wilson said.

Wilson also said a child can be taken from a shopping cart while the mother looks at her phone or turns her back to get a grocery item. “It can happen that fast,” Wilson said.

Child traffickers often operate in groups involving both men and women.

“Once taken, pre-adolescent girls can be made to perform up to 15 tricks a day to earn money for their owners,” Wilson said.

Wilson talked about the importance of supervising children and being aware of your surroundings.

In addition to protecting your own children, the public can be on the lookout for warning signs a child has been abducted or is a sex slave.

Children who are slaves are often tattooed by their keepers on the backs of their neck or arms.

Also, abducted children often avoid direct eye contact with others.

Other red flags include the child having visible bruises or injuries, inconsistent stories being told, having overtly sexual social media account profiles, possessing wads of cash or gift cards, drug store items or lingerie.

There are many red flags one can look for, but if one sees a situation with a child or teenager that doesn’t look right, it’s best to call the police and take pictures, if possible, Wilson explained.

Wilson went on to say “Do not approach the young person or question anyone involved with him or her as it could put you and the possible victim in danger.

“Call the police and if possible, take a picture of the car and license plate.” Wilson said.

Wilson summarizes by saying if the situation doesn’t look right, get involved by reporting the situation to police and let them investigate it.

Michael Robinson|Rotary Club of UvaldeGloria Wilson, Rotary International assistant District 5840 governor, as she speaks to members of the Rotary Club of Uvalde.

Michael Robinson|Rotary Club of UvaldeGloria Wilson, Rotary International assistant District 5840 governor, as she speaks to members of the Rotary Club of Uvalde.

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