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Human trafficking awareness initiative starts today

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hundreds of people have been forced or coerced into human trafficking over the past few years in Missouri, including nearly 330 of them confirmed in 2021.

According to data collected from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 240 cases of human trafficking in 2021. Of those cases, 327 victims were involved in the cases.

The hotline received just over 1,100 signals in Missouri in 2021. signals could include a call to the hotline, a text message, an email, chat messages and online reports. Of those signals, 355 of them were made from victims or survivors of human trafficking.

The hotline receives tips about situations involving , , sex and labor trafficking, as well as situations where the type of trafficking may be unknown.

Missouri's Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division of the highway patrol is participating in a five-day Human Trafficking initiative that began Monday and goes through Friday. The initiative is meant to educate commercial drivers, motor carriers, officers and the general public about human trafficking.

Human trafficking is illegal exploitation of a person through force, fraud or coercion. Trafficking can take the forms of sexual trafficking, forced labor or .

Victims of sex trafficking come from all sorts of backgrounds and levels of education, experts say.

Signs of human trafficking are not always obvious, and may include:

  • The presence of an older “boyfriend” or “girlfriend”
  • Travel with an older male/female who isn't a guardian
  • Signs of psychological coercion, such as depression, anxiety and/or an overly submissive attitude
  • Lack of control over his/her schedule, money and/or items proving identification
  • Physical trauma (bruises, cuts, burns, scars)
  • Poor health
  • Coached/rehearsed responses to questions
  • Substance abuse or addictions, selling drugs
  • Homelessness

The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be contacted by calling 1-888-373-7888, by texting *233733 or by visiting its website and using the chat function.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

 

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.

ABOUT

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.

 

EYES ON TRAFFICKING

This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.

ABOUT PBJ LEARNING

PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.

More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.