FBI Pittsburgh Says Uptick “Occurs Proper Below Our Noses” In Human Trafficking Instances – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – When children log on to the computer for virtual learning every morning, they also enter a world full of prey eyes from human traffickers.

FBI special agents say human trafficking cases continue to increase. Last year alone, the FBI launched 664 human trafficking investigations and arrested 473 perpetrators. Those numbers are national, but here in the Pittsburgh area, more than 450 people have provided advice to the FBI to report suspicious activity and attempts to lure young children over the past year.

For young women like Karleigh Maide, a hard life at home can easily turn into a frightening situation.

“It was better for me sometimes because I felt I had a choice. I grew up with a lot of sexual abuse when I was in diapers for up to 14 years, ”Maide said.

When her now convicted trafficker offered her shelter and emotional security, the crime was disguised as a choice.

“In these situations, I felt out of control. I didn’t have a choice to say, “Yes, I want to engage in sexual interactions,” so I kind of made that choice through my own body. “

Victim specialist Bridget Simunovic said it was that simple.

“They are looking for this vulnerability, they are looking for this isolation. I think this loneliness. Once someone let us say they were walking down the mall and complimenting a victim. When they turned around and said “thank you”, they looked for it, ”said Simunovic.

Simunovic sees local children being forced into a prostitution lifestyle and being sold to other people. She works with victims every day in the FBI’s Pittsburgh office.

“That’s exactly what it is – there are children in our own churches. It happens right under our noses. It’s not what people think in the films, ”said Simunovic.

And it starts up. As of a few months ago, more than 1,800 pending human trafficking cases are being investigated.

“With children in general, one of the big difficulties is making them understand that they have been trafficked,” said Simunovic.

Special Agent Leonard Piccini Jr. said it could start with a meal, then with a fancy gift, and soon develop into more.

“When someone offers you something, nothing is free. Nobody will pay for you without your doing something for them at some point, ”Piccini said.

Karleigh escaped human trafficking thanks to an FBI bust.

“If we hadn’t been arrested, I probably wouldn’t have left the situation until something bad happened to me. I didn’t have the strength to walk, ”she said.

But she now found her strength in working with the nonprofit Gwen’s Girls to educate young girls about what she wished someone had told her.

“When I was 15, I had no goals in life. I just lived day after day and saw where I ended up. I have a lot now. I have many motivational and life goals. Finally, I want to go ahead and open a safe haven to young women who are trafficked, ”she said.

“But Karleigh and kids like Karleigh are the main reason we get up every day, come to work and keep doing that work,” Simunovic said.

The FBI said it doesn’t necessarily think virtual learning will lead to an increase in child trafficking during the pandemic, but when a child spends more time in a vulnerable space – like online – the risk increases.