by Lisa Schauer
Human trafficking is on the rise in West Virginia, paralleling the opioid epidemic, according to Legal Aid of West Virginia, and West Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force.
But human trafficking, including sex trafficking and labor exploitation, might be hard to spot. It doesn’t look as portrayed in movies and on television.
Victims of sex trafficking in West Virginia usually aren’t chained up and “taken” anywhere, say prevention advocates. Most are victimized in a residence, often their own, according to crime data.
Erin Harris-Smith, owner of Twilight’s Holistic Healing Counseling Center in Berkeley Springs, is a member of West Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force.
As a counselor and mental health service provider who works with victims of human trafficking, Smith is organizing a human trafficking prevention campaign in Morgan County this month.
Accordingly, Morgan County Commission has proclaimed January human trafficking prevention month in Morgan County.
photo by Kate Shunney
West Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force is comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement officers, service providers, victim advocates, educators, and representatives of the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, among others.
Members of the task force are available to educate and raise awareness in schools about human trafficking and internet safety.
Community organizations and businesses can also request a training on human trafficking prevention.
What it looks like
In West Virginia, although underreported, more cases are appearing of families trafficking their own children for drugs and money, legal experts say.
“Sex trafficking generally appears to be the more common type of human trafficking within the state, and that is driven by two different factors—the opioid crisis and the increase in the number of children in foster care,” said Mike Stuart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of W.Va., as quoted by Legal Aid.
One in four victims of human trafficking are under the age of 18, according to Our Rescue, a national advocacy organization.
Some victims are so effectively manipulated, they may not even realize they are being trafficked.
Others are isolated, coerced, threatened or physically assaulted by their traffickers.
Children left unsupervised, living with drug addicts, or in foster care are at higher risk of being victimized.
One in six runaways, or throwaways, are sex traffic victims, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, a public awareness initiative to combat human trafficking.
Cunning predators on the internet are also adept at luring vulnerable potential victims with fake promises.
According to a state law passed in 2020, victims of human trafficking must testify in court in order to convict their perpetrators.
Anchored by drug addiction, poverty, greed and lust, this modern form of slavery will continue to grow as long as supply meets demand.
Anyone who solicits minors, or engages in illicit activity at residential brothels, truck stops, strip clubs, or disreputable massage parlors is in violation of laws against human trafficking.
Intervening on behalf of a victim of human trafficking may be their only hope of escape.
Warning signs of human trafficking include the physical, such as bruises or cuts, behavioral, such as difficulty speaking or avoiding eye contact, and emotional, such as being overly compliant, anxious or depressed.
Notice changes, such as an underprivileged youth suddenly having a new wardrobe, two phones, keys, drugs, or cash. Are they dressed inappropriately for the season?
Does someone seem to be escorted everywhere by a well-dressed adult, or are they lacking identification? These are all warning signs of a possible crime in progress.
To report a suspected case of human trafficking, call 911 if the victim is in immediate danger.
Victim resources are available. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 to ask for help, or to report a suspected crime.
In addition to reporting and intervention, prevention can help stop human trafficking.
Building awareness among youth, educators, social workers, and community members is the starting point for ending human trafficking.
Anyone interested in scheduling training can go to the task force website at stophumantraffickingwv.org.
