Morning Wire Hiding In Plain Sight: Inside America’s Child-Trafficking Crisis
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Nov 1, 2025 
Derek Benner, CEO of Our Rescue, sheds light on America's child trafficking crisis. He discusses the staggering statistics revealing over 20 million suspected exploitation tips in 2024 and a 1,300% rise in generative AI child sexual material. Benner highlights how predators groom victims online, exploiting social media and gaming platforms. He details the heroic yet under-resourced efforts of law enforcement and emphasizes the dual role of AI as both a tool for justice and a threat to children. A powerful call to action for awareness and funding resonates throughout the conversation.
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Trafficking Is A Domestic, Wide-Scale Crisis
- The film presents a realistic, domestic picture of sex trafficking and child exploitation in the U.S. at scale.
- It uses survivor stories, parent accounts, law enforcement, and nonprofit work to illustrate the crisis.
Real Stories And Forensics In The Film
- The film features survivors, parents, and law enforcement recounting real cases and technology challenges.
- It highlights electronic storage device canines and on-scene forensics as crucial investigative tools.
The Scale Of Digital Evidence Is Massive
- In 2024 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received over 20 million suspected child exploitation tips.
- Those tips contained roughly 64 million suspected images and videos, revealing massive volume and investigative burden.