In this episode, we discuss child trafficking and child abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-843-5678. Please listen with care.

Our hosts first talk to Melanie Thompson about her firsthand experience with child sex trafficking. She discusses not only how she was trafficked, but how systemic gaps in the foster care system make it easy to exploit those children.

Then they speak with Megan Curran, policy director at the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University. She updates us on the Expanded Child Tax Credit and talks about its effects on families across the United States.

For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website.

The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins.

Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.