Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 763

Tonight's special guest is Erin Runnion from Newport Beach, California, founder of The Joyful Child Foundation in Memory of Samantha Runnion, her kidnapped and murdered child. The Joyful Child Foundation is dedicated to preventing crimes against children through programs that educate, empower, and unite families and communities. Their mission is to protect our nation's children from sexual abuse and abduction through programs that unite and uplift communities. Ms Runnion launched The Joyful Child Foundation in 2005, after the abduction, molestation and murder of five-year-old Samantha Runnion. It is dedicated to raising awareness about child sexual abuse and abduction while facilitating proactive community organizing to give everyone an opportunity to participate in the national movement to stop these horrible crimes against children. Erin recently appeared on a television show with Katie Couric and Megan Kanka's parents, of Megan's Law, talking about life after loss and their plights in honor of their murdered children (the show airs January 7th). The Joyful Child web site reminds us that sex-trafficking has evolved into a lucrative business in the US and around the globe. The industry grosses $9.5 billion annually in the US, and an additional $32 billion worldwide. Trafficked women are constantly moved throughout the country so as to avoid drawing the attention of law enforcement officials.