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Porch & Parish

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Jan 13, 2025 12:27PM ● By Lauren Pope

January marks Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and with the Super Bowl coming to New Orleans on February 9, law enforcement and advocacy groups are strengthening prevention efforts. While large sporting events historically see an increase in trafficking activity, Louisiana consistently ranks among the top 20 states for human trafficking cases, with I-10 and I-12 and the state's port system serving as major trafficking corridors.

The Super Bowl creates a surge in trafficking activity, but these crimes happen every day in every state. In Louisiana in 2023 alone, 1,743 individuals received assistance from the state's Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, which serves victims of both labor and sex trafficking. Of these numbers, the vast majority were minor (under 17) victims of sex trafficking.

Right here in Zachary, Metanoia Manor serves as a safe haven for young trafficking survivors. The facility provides comprehensive care, including education, therapy, and life skills training to help survivors rebuild their lives. Their work highlights both the local impact of trafficking and the community's commitment to fighting it.

One chance encounter with an everyday citizen like you could be an individual's only link to freedom. The Department of Homeland Security has identified several warning signs that everyone should know:

  • People who appear controlled by others
  • Individuals who seem disoriented or show signs of physical abuse
  • Workers who lack proper identification
  • Young people in places or situations that seem inappropriate

Louisiana residents can report suspected trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. Local support is available through Metanoia Manor and the Greater Baton Rouge Human Trafficking Task Force.

Awareness is the first step in prevention. When communities know what to look for and how to report it, they become powerful tools in stopping trafficking before it starts.