Secretary of State Michael Adams launches ‘Kentucky Businesses Against Trafficking’ initiative
"Most people who are trafficked would not even recognize themselves as a trafficking victim."
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The Secretary of State is partnering with business owners in the commonwealth to help put an end to ‘human trafficking’ in Kentucky.
Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry across the world.
“Most people who are trafficked would not even recognize themselves as a trafficking victim,” said Deanna Lynn, the Executive Director of Refuge for Women.
27 million people are trafficked worldwide. While some may think it’s not a problem in the commonwealth it is.
“Unfortunately, it’s one we have here in Kentucky,” said Secretary of State Michael Adams. “Since 2007 there have been 2,500 victims of human trafficking identified.”
Some misconceptions are that it really only happens around big events, like the Kentucky derby, but that’s not true.
“This is going on just under our noses and it’s going on in small towns, it’s going on everywhere,” said Adams.
Today, during Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Adams announced the launch of his new initiative ‘Kentucky Businesses Against Trafficking’
Across the state in airports, there is information to promote awareness. At the Cincinnati airport, located in Covington, Kentucky, front line workers are trained to look for signs.
“Is someone dressed out of the ordinary for where they might be traveling to,” said Seth Cutter with the Cincinnati/ Northern Airport. “Does someone look or seem sheepish or subservient to someone else they may be traveling with.”
For someone being trafficked, either for sex or labor, this may not seem abnormal.
Lynn spoke about her experience being trafficked.
“I was an 18-year-old girl, I graduated high school early, I had a trafficker who stood outside with his gun,” said Lynn. “I just remember hiding in the hotel, and locking my door and him getting so mad because I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
She says not one person asked if she was okay and she thinks it is important to know what is happening.
Adams’ hope is more and more businesses will sign up for the initiative and help put an end to human trafficking in Kentucky.
