"It just flies so under the radar that it's hard to catch. I think that's why people assume that slavery isn't happening today because it's not out in the open and seen like it was 100 years ago and back in the day," says Bussey.
Human trafficking is nothing new to the Arklatex, with Interstate-20 and casinos being a driving force.
This sex slavery brings in more money per year than the NBA, NFL, and the MLB combined.
"Just think about football alone and the fans, and everything that it brings in, and human trafficking brings in triple that," says Bussey.
And there's no stereotype.
It does not know color, education, gender, or age, with the average age of entry into sex trafficking being 11-years-old.
"That means there are children under 11 that are being forced into sex slavery," says Bussey.
"The youngest child I have spoken to was 8-years-old and her caregiver had trafficked her for rent money," says Alex Person, Forensic Interviewer Gingerbread House.
With these unfortunate statistics, there are warning signs you need to know that could help save a life.
"Such as itching in the private part area, having issues using the bathroom, they may be potty trained and now they are having accidents on themselves, just behavior change in general," says Person.
Knowing the warning signs starts with education.
"We educate children on body safety, what to do if someone touches your body, what parts of your body no one is supposed to touch, and secrets that we don't keep and how we always tell," says Person.
"We educate parents on signs to look for if a child is being abused. We educate parents on what to do if a child has disclosed abuse. We educate schools and medical offices on mandated reporting," says Person.
Sex slavery is a huge problem, but has a huge answer, with numerous partners in the area lending a helping hand.
"Every woman and child that walks through our door is a success story. It takes a lot of courage to leave the only thing you've ever known even if the only thing you've ever known is chaos and pain," says Bussey.
'Purchased Not For Sale' offers free GED programs through a partnership with Bossier Parish Community College.
"They don't charge us for that. They send over a teacher free of charge for us and our ladies," says Bussey.
And job readiness skills.
"Of course the employer is going to ask what have you been doing for the past 10 years, and that's a hard question to answer when you have to say I've been in a strip club, or prostituting, or trafficked, we help them kind of fill in those gaps and how to answer those questions," says Bussey.
While the 'Gingerbread House' helps children realize they are victims.
"Most of the children that come in were not sure they were being trafficked until we get in the forensic interview and we start talking to them and then we realize red flags and signs," says Person.
And get them out before its too late.
"We see parents or caregivers who have trafficked their children for rent money, drug money, alcohol," says Person.
Unfortunately the number of success stories is outnumbered by those that don't make it out alive from human trafficking.
With the detection of warning signs, we can all help bring men and women out of slavery.
"They are created for a better life than what they've been through," says Bussey.
Read more: http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/local-news/combating-human-trafficking/721135719
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