Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative gains traction – Door County Daily News

A “hidden crime” that is not usually associated with Door or Kewaunee counties is getting statewide attention this week by the Wisconsin State Patrol and Door County Sheriff's Department. The Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is underway, and Door County Sheriff's Department Professional Standards Captain Carl Waterstreet says that human trafficking is a transient business that can still impact the area. He says it is sometimes viewed as a victimless crime, which is not true. Most avenues of human sex trafficking are being done online but can be identified by certain tattoos and unusual behavior and actions when you encounter someone in public.  Although Door County is not a hub for human trafficking, it can be readily available, especially during the prime summer tourist months, according to Waterstreet.

Waterstreet worked a case of labor trafficking in the southern part of Wisconsin when working for the Department of Justice, where the business owner unknowingly hired  J-1 Visa students who went through a contractor acting as a human trafficker.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is conducting an outreach program with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) this week during traffic stops and at truck stops.  You can find tips on how you can help prevent Human Trafficking with this link.