In 2016, Human trafficking in the United States rose 35.7 percent from the previous year, according to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

The hotline reported 7,572 cases involving 6,340 females, 978 males and 70 listed as “gender minorities.” A total of 4,890 reported cases involved adults and 2,387 involved minors.

The hotline fielded a total of 26,727 calls last year.

California was the number one state with 1,323 cases followed by Texas with 670 and Florida with 550. All three states reported an increase in trafficking crimes.

“Left unchecked, human trafficking will continue to flourish in environments where traffickers can reap substantial monetary gains with relatively low risk of getting caught or losing profits,” according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Read more: https://www.upi.com/Report-Human-trafficking-in-US-rose-357-percent-in-one-year/5571486328579/