NORFOLK, Neb. - For victims of human trafficking, every second counts.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognizes January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Juanitta Chikaluma from Bright Horizons in Norfolk says the warning signs aren’t always obvious, but if you can recognize them you could save a life.

“Sometimes, when they’re in conversations, their responses seem scripted or practiced. Maybe checking into hotels with someone that’s way older than them that would be a little suspicious,” said Chikaluma.

In Nebraska last summer, the FBI made five arrests at hotels and businesses, dismantling a human trafficking ring. Agents say some of the victims were as young as 12-years-old.

Chikaluma says traffickers often target those who are the most vulnerable.

“In situations where they are homeless or their living in the shelter, they offer them a stable home or stability, or just something that would be able to sway them. And before they know it they’ve been put into a trafficking situation either sexual trafficking or labor trafficking,” said Chikaluma.

According to the U.S. Department of State more than 25 million people worldwide are people being trafficked for labor and sex.

Captain Paul Hagen with the Nebraska State Patrol says that last year alone, a trafficking hotline generated more than 80 tips in the state. He urges the public to stay alert and if you see something, say something.

“Yeah, we would just like to encourage everybody, the public to if they see something, if the suspect any type of human trafficking to please reach out to law enforcement,”said Captain Hagen. “It’s very important that even if you are unsure what it’s possibly looking like but you suspect something suspicious we would like to be able to look into it to hopefully save a victim or be able to make an arrest on a trafficker.”

If you think someone is being trafficked that hotline number to call is 833—PLS-LOOK, or you can go the Nebraska Attorney General’s website for more information.