‘Anyone can be a victim’: Colorado launches 2023 human trafficking campaign

Potential victims and witnesses of human trafficking can expect to find more outreach material across the state this year as part of a campaign for Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

The statewide campaign spreads the message, “Anyone can be a victim,” while raising awareness through street teams and outreach in unexpected places, according to a Colorado Department of Public Safety news release.

Awareness is critical because people can have difficulty recognizing human trafficking, which is where the campaign comes into play.

The campaign helps put into words a gut feeling that something isn't right. Officials hope it will assist people in identifying human trafficking as a crime.

“This experience is so confusing, and the relationships embedded into it are extremely complicated,” an anonymous human trafficking survivor said. “However, I took one small step, telling someone that something wasn't right, and from there, my journey and experiences started to change.”

Gov. Jared Polis declared January as Colorado Human Trafficking Awareness Month, coinciding with the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month launched by President Barack Obama in 2010.

Human trafficking involves a person exploiting someone through force, fraud or coercion for benefit — often economic. The exploitation typically involves some type of labor, including commercial sex.

Maria Trujillo, program manager and spokesperson for the Colorado Human Trafficking Council, said victims and survivors may not understand how to get help due to a lack of understanding about their circumstances.

“Traffickers are often in a close or intimate relationship with those they exploit, making the crime more complex,” Trujillo said.

Officials hope the campaign, which starts this month and continues throughout the year, will reach potential victims and community members who can lend a helping hand.

State partners will place campaign outreach materials in vaccine buses, rest stops, visitor centers, bars, restaurants and other locations.

“From posters to coasters and conversations to formal training, the campaign seeks to share the message that anyone can be a victim, but help is available,” the release said.

Campaign partners include the Colorado Department of Public Safety, the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Traffickers, victims and survivors are people of all races, genders and social and economic statuses, the release said. A common factor traffickers look for in their victims is vulnerability.

Factors that can leave someone vulnerable include:

• Poverty
• Housing insecurity
• Any unstable living environment
• Addiction or substance use
• Lack of support from family and friends
• Lack of access to services

If anyone has suspicions of human trafficking, needs to leave a tip or wants to receive assistance, call anonymously at (866) 455-5075 or text (720) 999-9724.

For more information, go to ThisisHumanTrafficking.com.