U.S. Attorney Ross Marks The End Of Human Trafficking Awareness Month With An Appeal To The Public

CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross is marking the end of Human Trafficking Awareness Month with a call to action for the community. “It’s extremely important to encourage awareness and shine a light on the victimization and tragic consequences of human trafficking, however, it’s not an effort that should be limited to just one month a year,” stated U.S. Attorney Ross, who served as the lead prosecutor of the Western District of New York Human Trafficking Task Force for approximately eight years.

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. According to the U.S. State Department, there are an estimated 24.9 million people - adults and children - subjected to human trafficking around the world, including here in the United States.

Signs that someone may be the victim of sex or labor trafficking include:

• Living with employer
• Poor living conditions
• Multiple people in cramped space
• Inability to speak with others alone
• Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
• Employer is holding identity documents
• Signs of physical abuse
• Submissive or fearful
• Unpaid or paid very little 

U.S. Attorney Ross further stated, “For eight years as the lead prosecutor of the Human Trafficking Task Force, I worked with victims of both sex and labor trafficking, building cases against the traffickers, and I saw firsthand the devastating impacts that human trafficking has on the lives of victims and communities. I encourage everyone to know the signs of trafficking and ask questions. If you suspect someone is being coerced into sex or labor acts, please act by calling the local authorities or the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Together, we can make a positive difference.”

If you are a victim of human trafficking or know someone who may be, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Additional resources can be found at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/

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