AG announces expansion of Human Trafficking Investigations Unit

Human trafficking is defined as when someone uses control to force a victim into performing sex acts for money or to force someone into labor.

"We need to continue to raise awareness and educate the public about human trafficking, it does happen in Montana", Fox said. "The victims are often minors who have been lured into the most frightening and despicable abuses imaginable".

"In case you didn't know, MI is No. 2, No. 2 in human trafficking", said Brenda Jones, city council president.

As the nation marks Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill recently announced the expansion of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General Investigations Division's Human Trafficking Investigations Unit (HTIU).

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you can call the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center STAR hotline 24/7 for help. Some of the most used routes for human trafficking are I-10, I-20, I-65 and I-85. The organization lists tips on its website meant to help citizens recognize possible warning signs of human trafficking so they can notify authorities anytime they believe they have spotted victims in need of aid. "In addition, Demand An End aims to aid in the training of law enforcement and judicial officials so that they are better equipped to investigate, arrest, recognize and aggressively prosecute buyers and traffickers". While this does constitute a huge part of the human trafficking industry, prostitution is not the only issue.

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport officers are trained by the Department of Homeland security to spot human trafficking victims in airports. "Human trafficking is not someone else's problem, it is a crime against our children and our society".

You may also contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to BeFree (233733).