Tri-county Human Trafficking Task Force hosts community meeting
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)–According to the Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center, every 40 seconds in the United States, someone becomes a victim of human trafficking, and here at home, officials are seeing those numbers increase right here in the tri-county.
Local agencies and organizations are working to stop someone from becoming a victim of human trafficking. Officials are seeing those numbers increase in the tri-county, and it is something local agencies and organizations are working to stop.
Prevention, protection, education, and partnership were the main topics discussed by officials from the Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force and partner agencies during their annual meeting today.
“Today, in January, Trafficking Awareness Month is the last day of the month, so we were showcasing our team, which we have had with us for eight years on this topic. We summarized all our subcommittees, what they’re doing, and what the work looks like,” said Lauren Knapp, co-chair of the tri-county human trafficking task force.
According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, they received 285 tips related to sex trafficking last year, and 75 percent of those anonymous tips came from the tri-county. In Charleston, labor trafficking increased 40 percent in 2024.
“We try to educate our community, especially Latina and Hispanic communities, how we help them when they ask us because they don’t know what is happening when they are suffering or victims of trafficking. We need to be able to give them straightforward information, but it’s more critical for educating,” said Adriana Fernandez Ruffer, a tri-county human task force refugee/foreign national.
Another vulnerable community officials are working with is children, providing education, mentorship, and time.
“To see what these kids go through and their desire just to live an everyday life quote on quote normal life. And just to be able to provide that little bit of normalcy to them means the world to me,” said Tiffiny Alexzander, partner with the Child Advocacy Center.”
Officials are also introducing a program to give necessities and gifts to children in disadvantaged circumstances. To get involved, click the link down below.
