What can be done to combat human trafficking?
Governmental and non-governmental organizations can help raise awareness to identify – and provide services to – victims of trafficking. Outreach within vulnerable populations and building trust between law enforcement and community and faith-based organizations is essential if victims are going to cooperate with prosecution efforts. People and professions likely to encounter victims (or evidence of trafficking), such as postal workers, health inspectors, landlords, farm workers, health care workers, etc., can be educated to recognize ‘red flags’ that might indicate trafficking. Criminal justice professionals will benefit from training to help them recognize victims of trafficking as well as training to understand the legal options and services available to victims. At the local level, when people are trained to “look beneath the surface” as the U.S. Health & Human Services Rescue and Restore Campaign materials say, more victims will be identified and more traffickers prosecuted. With
