Next to California, Texas is ranked second in the nation for reported human trafficking cases. This Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Wakeland sheds light on warning signs of potential trafficking situations.

“So this year we’re really aiming on finding the signs of human trafficking we just want people to have the information to know what they can do to avoid it and stay safe from it.”

Human trafficking is defined as transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work typically in the form of forced labor or exploitation. Offenders often hide behind social media dating apps or even job applications and scholarship offers to find potential victims.

“Some warning signs are: people avoiding eye contact some suspicious behavior being followed tracked and then we have all the signs posted on bathrooms and we have these little posters showing what they are so go check those out.”

Other warning signs include showing signs of physical injuries and abuse, avoiding eye contact and social interaction and authority figures in law enforcement and lacking official identification documents.

“Recognizing signs tactics and risks are crucial to preventing human trafficking I think education is a big part of it um educating the public what to look for steps to take to prevent it I would say at least get a control officer get a report generated get everything documented initially.”

If you or someone you know could be a human trafficking victim call 1-888-373-7888 or text 2 33733 to talk to the 24 hour confidential human trafficking helpline.