Every year 300,000 children are taken and sold through means of human trafficking, and it is estimated that 17,000 of those occur within the United States.
The average age of a trafficked child is between 11 and 14 years old with the typical length of survival being 3 to 7 years. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. 95% of children know their perpetrator. These are bleak statistics and a stark reality for officers who investigate such crimes and groups who aim to stop such crimes.
Louisville Police Detective Lieutenant Barry McWhirter recently received commendation from Department of Homeland Security and Customs Enforcement for his help in sex trafficking case which led to several arrests and rescue of several victims.
“Detective Lieutenant Barry McWhirter can be personally credited with locating both juvenile sex trafficking survivors identified to date in a case. He took the lead in located the first juvenile survivor, who was residing in Winston County. He gained the necessary real time information, which was then immediately used to rescue a second juvenile actively being victimized and held against her will by a sex trafficking ring in Kansas City. Without his assistance and perseverance, the rescue of the young girl would not have been possible,” stated Department of Homeland Security and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez.
Following that rescue, the Louisville Police Department and Lt. McWhirter hosted two of the investigators and continued to support this investigation and pending prosecution. Lt. McWhirter has continued to maintain contact and follow up with the victim and her family in this case. He has coordinated services and ensured the safety and well being of the victim.
“His efforts have gone beyond our expectations and exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement,” added Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez. “HIS Kansas City and the survivors of this horrific trafficking case benefitted greatly from your (Louisville Police Department) generous hospitality and assistance.”
