When most people hear the words human trafficking, they picture a crime happening somewhere overseas, far from their own homes and communities.

The sad reality is that the people fueling this kind of exploitation can live right here in America.

This rescue operation began in Colombia but stretched all the way back to New York City.

Two men from New York had connected with a Colombian trafficking ring. This criminal network follows a disturbing pattern our teams have seen many times before: it is set up specifically to enable Americans to travel abroad to sexually exploit children.

In this case, the trafficking operation was centered in Medellín, Colombia, a city that has become a known destination for predators seeking access to vulnerable children trapped in human trafficking.

But that is not where this story ends.

Answer International-funded partners in Colombia worked alongside Homeland Security and the New York Attorney General’s Office to not only rescue the six children but also to track down the two men in New York. Both were taken into custody and brought to justice.

Through this operation, two men were arrested and six children were rescued.

Six children who had been targeted for exploitation.

Six children whose innocence and freedom were stolen.

Six children who are now safe.

This case is a sobering reminder that human trafficking is not only a foreign problem. The demand that fuels this evil can begin in our own cities, our own communities, and our own backyard.

When you partner with Answer International, you help equip trusted teams on the ground to identify predators, work alongside law enforcement, rescue children, and help survivors step into healing, true freedom, and redemption.

Six children are safe today because people chose to act.

This is Redemption.