In November, a 15-year-old Valley girl was kidnapped, put in a cage and used as a sex slave inside a Glendale apartment.

In January, two men were arrested and jailed for kidnapping young girls and forcing them into child pornography and prostitution.

But, unfortunately, these two instances aren't as rare as you might think.

"Child prostitution has become and is growing epidemic in the state of Arizona and the city of Phoenix," said Chief Jack Harris of the Phoenix Police Department. "There have been over 35 child prostitutes. These are girls ranging from the age of 13 to 17 years of age."

Police say they are working for as many as 54 different pimps in our community.

The city of Phoenix hosted a six-hour conference Thursday on the subject of prostitution and sex trafficking.

"Big problem here in Phoenix. At least 80 percent of adults started as children," Vednita Carter said.

Carter is the founder and executive director of Breaking Free, "a program that provides services to help women and girls get out of prostitution in St. Paul, Minnesota," Carter said.

She was asked to speak at the conference by Kathleen Mitchell, founder and coordinator of Catholic Charities Dignity Program.

"And what we're finding out here in the streets are kids who are 11 years old, 12 years old and 15 years old," Mitchell said.

Both women believe you can combat child prostitution through education.

"Education is power, you know, and if we don't start talking about what's happening we're going to lose our children," Mitchell said.