By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
The Elmore County Commission recognized Michelle Wood, the director of Elmore County Department of Human Services and her staff Monday at their regular meeting. This was part of their support of Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month.
“On behalf of the community and the Alabama Anti Human Trafficking Alliance and those that are fighting against human trafficking, I want to thank you for taking the time out to recognize January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month.”
Wood said that 25 years ago, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed. Since that time an estimated 27.6 million people have been subjected to human trafficking globally, with cases in every US state and territory, including Alabama.
“Preventing, recognizing and responding to human trafficking is a community event. Protection of children is not accomplished alone, and it takes and it takes partnerships with our communities to keep everyone safe from online predators through sex and labor trafficking that occurs on a daily basis,” she said.
She said due to its isolating nature, many individuals remain unaware that trafficking is a threat to our neighbors, families and our children.
“However, the internet gives criminals and predators easy access to our young people and our children. New games, apps and websites are popping up daily that are luring our children into these situations.”
She said first responders and child serving agencies are seeing a huge increase in children and teens being targeted by online predators and becoming victims.
“National Human Trafficking Prevention Month provides an opportunity to increase the awareness of the signs of human trafficking, and to share about the national human trafficking hotline that people can call and make reports or ask for help.”
She thanked the Commission for taking a public stance against trafficking, and together we can make our community a safer place for families and children
Commission Henry Hines thanked Wood for what she does and said it can happen anytime, anywhere when it comes to human trafficking.
“We just had an incident in my neighborhood in Holtville where this exact thing happened. We are very fortunate it did not go beyond just being approached,” Hines said. “We appreciate all you and your staff do to bring awareness.”
Hines said that one thing too many people with children overlook is putting their kids names on the back of their cars.
“This is probably one of the worst things you can do. Because they will walk up to the car when you are not around and call their name out,” he said.
Commissioner Dennis Hill is former law enforcement, and said people would be surprised by what can happen in Elmore County.
“I tell people all the time to watch your children.” He said. “It only takes a couple of seconds, and they are gone.”
For more information regarding Human Trafficking, including how you can get help, visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en
