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CRISP COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - January is National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, a time dedicated to educating the public about the realities of human trafficking and how to recognize the warning signs.

Human trafficking is a crime centered on the exploitation of another person. Traffickers often use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims. These tactics can include imposing debt, offering fraudulent job opportunities, making false promises of love or a better life, using psychological manipulation, and committing acts or threats of violence.

Officials emphasize that a common misconception is that human trafficking requires victims to be transported from one location to another. In reality, trafficking does not require movement to be considered a crime and can occur entirely within a victim’s own community.

Under U.S. law, any situation in which a person under the age of 18 is caused to engage in a commercial sex act is considered human trafficking, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion is used.

Authorities encourage anyone who suspects human trafficking to report it. Suspected cases can be reported to federal law enforcement by calling 1-866-347-2423. Victims seeking help can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text “HELP” or “INFO” to BeFree (233733).

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