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The Junior League of Sioux Falls says human trafficking is prevalent in the area and happening where you least expect it.
"It definitely is happening here in Sioux Falls. It's happening in our school systems. A lot of our vulnerable children or people are the target and are being trafficked," Dawn Stenberg of the Junior League of Sioux Falls said.
From local schools to nearby grocery stores, human trafficking is out there and happening right before your eyes, according to Stenberg.
"Human trafficking is the criminal business that profits from the sell of people for forced labor," Stenberg said.
They are trapped in a life of misery, often beaten, starved, forced to work without pay or bound to a life of prostitution. Often traffickers become friends with their prey before they strike.
"You begin to trust that person and just one time when you trusted that person too much, the next thing is that you are a slave," Stenberg said.
This type of slavery is growing, but it doesn't have to.
"People need to be aware that it does happen here and our best defense of prevention is going to be education," Stenberg said.
Some, like Stenberg, believe South Dakota isn't doing enough to stop human trafficking. She says there is a lack of funding and awareness on the issues. The Junior League of Sioux Falls is hoping to change that with a new task force.
"We have a lot of support and everyone is on board with combating this issue in our community and in our state," Stenberg said.
The new task force is planning to take its message to Pierre and educate everyone on this growing problem.
"I don't know if it will ever not be an issue, but we're hoping to educate across the board," Stenberg said.
If you know of prostitution or any other human trafficking in your area, call your local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.
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