Many Are Victims of Human Trafficking.

• Position: HOMELESS YOUTH - Brief article

Nearly one-fifth of homeless youth surveyed in 13 cities are victims of human trafficking, including for sex, labor, or both, according to dual studies by researchers at The Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and the Modern Slavery Research Project at Loyola University, New Orleans, La.

The researchers found that 19.4% of the interviewed youth were victims of human trafficking, with 15% having been trafficked for sex; 7.4% for labor; and three percent for both.

"Too many youth are desperate and alone on the streets. Homelessness makes them vulnerable to traffickers," says Kevin Ryan, president of Covenant House, which operates the largest network of residences and community service centers for homeless young people across the Americas, reaching more than 46,-000 youth every year in 30 cities across six countries.

"We don't have to live in a world where desperate kids are bought and sold. If we want to reduce the number of youth who are trafficked, we have to end youth homelessness. We...