Human Trafficking could be right next to you

NEBRASKA -- January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Advocacy organization Bright Horizons in Norfolk are working to prevent trafficking; kidnapping; and stalking this month, after 2021 saw at least 40 million global victims of the crime.

So how can you help?

"Being aware of what's going on in the community, contact authorities," Carlson said.

Shelter advocate Kathryn Carlson said among the victims they help, people are often trafficked by those they know personally.

A second misconception she wants to correct is that trafficking is not just prostitution -- but labor. Victims could be right next to you.

"If you feel like you may be a victim, things to look for are if they're very quiet, submissive," Carlson said.

But it's not easy to spot who's being targeted.

"It can be the average person on the street," she said.

While data is still being processed for 2021, Nebraska saw a significant increase in trafficking in 2020.

"It makes your heart break," she said.

According to the Child Advocacy Center, the number of reports of sex trafficking of children in Lancaster County has grown 16 times the amount reported in 2018 and they say that statistic doesn’t include the many others who are survivors and haven’t reported trafficking.