But of all illegal activities, the reported kidnappings of children, and the related fears they could be trafficked into the sex trade or sold into domestic servitude and international adoptions, is the only criminal activity that cannot be confirmed. And yet it remains of principal concern to aid workers here and abroad.
AM: Reputable international adoption agencies will likely advise that Haiti's government has decided to halt all adoptions except for the approximately 1100 that were already underway before the earthquake. This ruling has been endorsed by the United Nations, the State Department and Save the Children because of a high risk that children can be exploited after natural disasters. Unfortunately, in poor countries like Haiti, children are often trafficked, sold for labor, as sex slaves, or otherwise abused. UNICEF has been trying to prevent that from happening in the aftermath of the earthquake.