CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey emphasized the importance of raising awareness of and preventing human trafficking in observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The July 30 observance was started by United Nations member states in 2013. The day strives to raise awareness of human trafficking and the protection of victims’ rights.
“It is imperative that we work together to identify, report and ultimately eradicate human trafficking,” Morrisey said in a statement. “Human trafficking is an atrocious crime that victimizes men, women and children around the world. We must stop this growing criminal enterprise that reduces people to property and forces them into dangerous situations.”
Morrisey
The Attorney General’s office established best practices in 2017 aimed at raising awareness about human trafficking.
Since then, the office has offered intensive training to well over 3,500 people. This includes 500 law enforcement officers, plus numerous other groups, including medical professionals, social service workers, students, school personnel, community members and civic groups across the Mountain State.
The Attorney General’s office plans to continue to host training sessions across West Virginia in the future. The ultimate goal is to establish greater awareness and increase overall reporting of the issue throughout the state.
Human trafficking is defined as commercial sex or labor that is induced by force, fraud or coercion. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it is the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world today, second only to drug trafficking.
West Virginia’s increased rate of drug addiction, poverty and its large number of children in foster care make the state especially susceptible to human trafficking.
Those interested in scheduling or learning more about training offered by the Attorney General’s Office should call 304-558-2021. Anyone who suspects human trafficking activity in West Virginia is asked to contact the state Fusion Center at 1-866-WVWATCH.