Local officials spread awareness on human trafficking

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and officials are looking to raise awareness to assist victims.

The Hamilton County Health Department posted online that “traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to lure victims into forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation.”

The Tennessee Department of Health previously reported that the TBI's Human Trafficking Hotline had received nearly 1,200 tips or leads related to human trafficking concerns through mid-December of 2021.

The department has since posted some red flag signs that may better identify someone who may be a victim of trafficking.

Some include the inability to leave or come and go as desired, not being allowed to speak for one's self, lack of control of one's own money, numerous inconsistencies in one's stories and more.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says that on average, a child is bought or sold for sex every two minutes and that the average age of children sold is 13.

If you think you may know someone who could be a potential victim of human trafficking, you can contact the state's Human Trafficking Hotline at 855-558-6484.