Michigan Recognizes National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Day

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Day.

Thousands of children and adults are trapped in the forced sex and labor trades. Learn how to help if you believe you have witnessed or are aware of a potential case of human trafficking.

In Michigan, law enforcement and other private and non-profit entities, such as the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission, the Michigan State University Human Trafficking Task Force and the University of Michigan Human Trafficking Clinic, are working to combat human trafficking.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said that educating the public to notice and report suspected cases of human trafficking is a vital part of saving lives.

“Bringing more attention to human trafficking is an essential part of identifying and rescuing children and adults trapped in the dark worlds of forced sex and labor,” said Schuette.  “This crime does not just happen in the movies or on television.  It is happening in the shadows every day, all around us.  But, by learning what to look for, anyone can help identify and report suspected human trafficking to authorities.”

Second only to drug trafficking, human trafficking is the fastest-growing and second-largest criminal industry in the world. Victims of human trafficking are in bondage through force, fraud or coercion, solely for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation. Children are especially vulnerable.

If you believe you have witnessed or are aware of a potential case of human trafficking, call your local police or the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888.