EASTON, Pa. – January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and experts say it often goes unnoticed.
Thursday night, local leaders came together in Easton to raise awareness and help residents recognize the warning signs.
Human trafficking is often hidden from public view; but prosecutors say it’s happening more than people realize, even here in the Lehigh Valley.
Northampton County DA Stephen Baratta says, “They don’t understand not only the level of trafficking that goes on, but the insidious nature of it, and the damage that’s done, and the seriousness of the charges that are filed.”
DA Baratta says many trafficking cases in the region have involved local hotels and hotels near major highways; places where activity can easily go unnoticed.
“These are people that are horribly exploited, both financially and sometimes emotionally and physically,” DA Baratta says.
He says many victims are too afraid to come forward.
“These victims are either afraid, or believe they’re in a situation where they can’t afford to speak up, or they’re afraid they’re going to be attacked, injured, or killed by the people who are trafficking them,” District Attorney Baratta says.
That’s why organizers brought law enforcement and advocacy groups, together at the Boys and Girls Club of Easton.
“It’s definitely something that happens underground and right under our noses. I mean, it happens, people say in plain sight, and I would believe that to be true,” Carol Andersen, CEO of Bloom says.
Groups like Bloom say prevention and education, especially for young people and vulnerable adults, can disrupt trafficking before it starts.
“We really want to have the conversations with people in our community so that they can start recognizing what some of the signs are and that it’s okay to be more curious and to lean into that,” Andersen says.
Officials say if you suspect human trafficking, do not intervene directly. Instead, contact law enforcement, or report it via the National Human Trafficking Hotline or on the pa.gov website.