During 2023, Montgomery County Police handled 30 cases of human trafficking, but “that number is a very low number,” said Assistant Chief Nicholas Augustine. “This is an extremely underreported crime.”
Members of the Montgomery County Council declared January Human Trafficking Awareness Month. According to Councilmember Evan Glass, as many as 800,000 individuals are trafficked into the United States every year.
Particularly preyed upon are members of racial and ethnic minorities, women and girls, LGBTQ+ individuals, vulnerable migrants and other historically marginalized and underserved populations.
They can be anywhere in the county but often are found working in motels and massage parlors, Augustine said. They are used to make money and get work done for their traffickers and can be any age, he said.
“There is a demand for people either for sex or for labor,” said Jodi Finkelstein, executive director of the Montgomery County Commission for Women.
Since 2014, Montgomery County has had a task force and now the Human Trafficking Prevention Committee focused on helping victims and shutting down criminals. Members are from the police force, Montgomery County Commission for Women and members of nonprofits involved in this area.
“Human trafficking requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach,” said Finkelstein, whose organization trains police, firefighters and teachers on human trafficking.
If anyone suspects someone is being trafficked, they are urged to call the police’s 24-hour hotline at 240-777-4357 or the national tip line at 888-373-7888.
Today we recognized Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
As many as 800,000 individuals are trafficked into the United States every year, sometimes hidding in plain sight.
If you suspect a business is breaking the law, call the trafficking tip line: 888.373.7888 pic.twitter.com/rxF8U9YDtT
— Councilmember Evan Glass (@CMEvanGlass) January 23, 2024
