"At least 97 percent of the traffic is for the purposes of sexual exploitation," said Altuntas. "One out of three women trafficked to Turkey are mothers who are lured by chances of making a better life for their children," she said.

A Turkish ad campaign designed to help these victims features the face of a young child asking the question, "Have you seen my mother?"

Turkey has also begun a 24-hour hotline for trafficking victims, distributing information cards that list the hotline number with the plea, "If anyone takes away your passport, your freedom or forces you to perform work of any kind without pay, call the helpline." The cards are printed in four languages and are being handed out at border crossings and transportation hubs.