It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s atrocious that this is even an issue and that it is so prevalent in our state, but it’s also good that these cases are being reported and victims can be rescued. North Carolina gets the not so much honor of being ninth in the nation for reported human trafficking cases. That statistic comes from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. The good news however is that the number of tips reporting these crimes is increasing. Most tips come from social media either Snapchat, Instagram, or FaceBook.
Governor Cooper declared January national human trafficking month in North Carolina. And the State Bureau of Investigation shared some tips to help your kids stay safe:
- Parents must frequently communicate with their kids about who they interact with online and talk to them about what is and what isn’t acceptable online behavior.
- Parents should also warn their kids about the dangers of sharing inappropriate photos and videos.
- Also, be sure to check their phones periodically to see what apps they have and how they’re using them.
If you suspect someone may be a victim of human trafficking report those suspicions to law enforcement or call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “BEFREE” to 233733.