Sex Trafficking
A commercial sex act occurs when sexual activity is exchanged for money, goods, services, or some other benefit agreed upon by the transacting parties. This includes pornographic images, stripping, and escort services.
Sex trafficking always involves three parties - the victim, the buyer or “john,” and the exploiter or “pimp.” The exploiter is the one who benefits from the transaction.
Under U.S. federal law, any minor under the age of 18-years old involved in commercial sex is considered a victim of sex trafficking - regardless of whether or not the trafficker used force, fraud, or coercion.
The Act (What is Done)
Human Trafficking is the recruitment, abduction, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons.
The Means (How it is Done)
Through the use of threats, force, coercion, drugs, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability or giving payments or benefits to a person in control of the victim.
The Purpose (Why it is Done)
Prostituting others, sexual exploitation, forced labor, peonage, debt bondage, slavery or similar practices, the removal of organs, or other types of exploitation.
Did you know:
The U.S. State Department derives statistics from foreign governments and other sources. Below are best guesstimates due to the hidden nature of trafficking crimes.
-
Estimates are 28 million victims of modern slavery globally (International Labor Organization)
-
A $150 billion industry (International Labor Organization)
-
Global statistics indicate men and boys are nearly half of trafficked victims. (U.S. State Department).
-
The average age of entry into sex slavery for a girl is 12-14 and a boy is 11-13 years old.
-
Estimated 1 out of 6 endangered runaways are child sex trafficking victims. (The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
-
In 2025, child sex trafficking reports to NCMEC’s CyberTipline increased 323%, going from 26,823 in 2024 to 113,530 in 2025
-
North Carolina has consistently ranked in the top 10 states for reported cases of human trafficking.
North Carolina consistently ranks in the top 10 states for reported cases of human trafficking.
Youth Outreach
You Decide: Building Safe Choices in a Digital World
Young people are growing up in a digital world where connection, friendship, entertainment, and learning are often just a screen away. But that same access can also create opportunities for manipulation, grooming, exploitation, and other dangers that many youth—and even adults—may not recognize.
At Changing Destinies Ministry, we believe prevention begins with education and conversation. Our Youth Outreach initiative was created to equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools they need to navigate the online world safely, recognize unhealthy or dangerous situations, and know where to turn when something doesn't feel right.
Through interactive presentations, community partnerships, and age-appropriate education, we focus on:
-
Online safety and digital awareness
-
Healthy relationships and personal boundaries
-
Recognizing grooming and digital manipulation
-
Warning signs of exploitation
-
Making safe and informed choices online
-
Building open communication between youth and trusted adults
-
Helping parents and caregivers understand the digital world their children are navigating
-
Knowing how and where to seek help
Education That Creates Empowerment
Our goal is not to create fear—it is to create awareness, confidence, and connection.
We want young people to feel comfortable asking questions, talking about uncomfortable experiences, setting boundaries, and reaching out for help. We also want parents and caregivers to feel better equipped to have the conversations that can sometimes feel difficult or uncomfortable.
Through our You Decide: Building Safe Choices in a Digital World program, we create safe spaces where youth can openly discuss social media, online gaming, digital relationships, peer pressure, and the choices they face every day.
In July 2026, CDM partnered with The Invictus Project and the Sandhills Boys & Girls Club to bring this program to more than 50 local youth. What made the experience so meaningful was not only what we were able to teach, but what the young people were willing to share. Their questions, honesty, and engagement demonstrated just how important it is to give youth a safe place to talk about the digital world they are navigating.
Stronger Together
Youth protection cannot happen in isolation. That is why CDM works alongside organizations, youth-serving programs, churches, parents, educators, and community partners to expand awareness and strengthen the safety net around young people.
Our collaboration with The Invictus Project allows us to bring together expertise and resources focused on preventing child exploitation and increasing community awareness. Our partnership with the Sandhills Boys & Girls Club demonstrates what is possible when trusted community organizations come together to invest in the safety and future of young people.
Every conversation matters. Every informed decision matters. And every young person equipped with knowledge and confidence is one step closer to being protected.
Because prevention isn't just about recognizing danger after it happens. It's about giving young people the tools to recognize risk before it becomes a crisis.