Department of Homeland Security specialist emphasizes community training as key in fighting human trafficking

Human trafficking is a severe crime that continues to happen all over the world.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of this problem and its presence in their communities. Proper training and education can help people recognize the signs of human trafficking and take necessary actions to prevent it.

According to Diego Luque, the campaign specialist with the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, “This is a crime that is based off exploitation, broad, coordinated force. And it’s just something that manifests itself in a variety of different ways.” Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness about human trafficking and provide people with the proper training to spot it in their communities.

Luque hosted a virtual training session where Roanoke residents learned about the different ways human trafficking can present itself and how they can act. By having open conversations and educating themselves and their peers, communities can play a significant role in combating this crime.

Luque stressed that education is the key to fighting human trafficking. People need to be able to recognize the signs of trafficking and understand how they can help. “The only way that we’re going to combat this crime is through education. It’s through being able to have open conversations about what human trafficking is and how us as a community, we our part, to educate not only ourselves, but to educate our peers, our colleagues, to people that we love, our families around us, that hate this is the crime that is happening everywhere in all 50 states,” Luque added.

More information about the Blue Campaign and how you can make difference in the community can be found here.