Youth violence is a significant public health problem that affects thousands of young people each day and in turn, their families, schools, and communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth violence can take different forms including fights, bullying, threats with weapons, and gang-related violence.
Human trafficking is a global issue, and anyone can become a victim, regardless of gender or age. In 2016, over 7,500 tips of human trafficking were reported to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, more than 2,000 of which involved children and youth under the age of 18. However, trafficked persons often go unnoticed. A 2014 Annals of Health Law study found that nearly 88% of sex trafficking survivors reported some kind of contact with health care while being exploited.
