Experts say there's been an increase in human trafficking in Hampton Roads since the pandemic, with relatives victimizing small children.
Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that continues to be a problem in the U.S. According to the Human Trafficking Hotline, in 2021, more than 500 calls have come from Virginia alone, many involving sexual cases.
Wednesday marked National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Those working to raise awareness said the Hampton Roads community can help fight against this terrible problem.
Here are someone signs that a person might be a victim of human trafficking:
- Another person is answering for them
- That person is not letting them speak
- The victim may seem very ambivalent to speak
- If they don't know where they are
- They don't have their documents
- They're not sure what city they're in
Experts from the Samaritan House, a local nonprofit that provides resources to victims, said there's an explanation for the different signs.
"Trafficking victims get moved around a lot so that the traffickers can keep them hidden," said Robin Gauthier, Executive Director of Samaritan House.
Samaritan House staff encourage those to wear blue throughout January in support of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. They say if you or someone else you know is experiencing trafficking, to call the local authorities. For more information on other resources they provide, visit samaritanhouseva.org
