The Sconi

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) recently recognized January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

According to Wisconsin Central News, DOT is vowing to share resources and information throughout the month to raise further awareness against the crime and its impact within the state.

"Human trafficking is a hidden crime that needs to come out of the shadows," Wisconsin DOT Secretary Craig Thompson said in a statement, according to Wisconsin Central News. "Traffickers are using our highway system to transport victims and perpetuate this crime. We are doing everything we can to stop it in Wisconsin.”

DOT is part of a coalition including hundreds of partners signed on to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s initiative Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking which seeks to combine the efforts of the travel industry to fight human trafficking across the nation. 

"Human trafficking targets vulnerable people, regardless of demographics, so we are committed to doing our part to stop it," State Patrol Superintendent Anthony Burrell said in a statement, according to Wisconsin Central News. "When our officers encounter a potential human trafficking situation, they’re trained to use a victim-centered approach. Our goal is to avoid traumatizing a victim any further."

Wisconsin State Patrol officers are trained to recognize the signs of human trafficking and, when possible, connect victims with the appropriate social services.

The Wausau Pilot and Review also reports that DOT is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s initiative Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking. The unit scouts highways and examines traffic patterns to prevent broad-scale trafficking across the United States.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there have been 701 cases of Human Trafficking in Wisconsin since 2007. In these cases, 762 individuals were identified who had a high likelihood of being human trafficking victims and 708 individuals were identified who had a moderate likelihood of being human trafficking victims. In 2019, 94 cases of trafficking were reported.

Residents with information about human trafficking are encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733.