RENO, Nev. (775 Times, NV Globe) – Nevada can provide an example for other states in fighting human trafficking with the assistance of the local population.

Local officials convened in Carson City on National Human Trafficking Prevention Day to discuss ways that individuals might become engaged.

Leaders hope to see improvements in 2023 since the state has had the second-highest rate of human trafficking in the nation since 2020.

In addition to local agencies, law enforcement partners want Nevada to be regarded as the state that combats these crimes rather than the only one in the nation where prostitution is still permitted.

Millions of people lose their freedom as a result of human trafficking. Bekah Charleston, a victim herself, claimed during a video chat that she never got to go to prom or anticipate typical activities for teens her age at the time.

Since brothels are permitted in Nevada, according to Brenda Sandquist, founder and executive director of Xquisite, it is more difficult to monitor cases of human trafficking. She continues by saying that Xquisite is putting a lot of effort into changing this perception and that it hopes to see the silver state take the lead in the fight against human trafficking.

Children who were once in foster care or unstable households are reportedly the most prevalent victims; these kids are sometimes duped by their captors into thinking they would never be able to escape. There is a widespread “misconception,” according to organizations like Xquisite, that victims may flee their abusers.

Bekah recalled being terrified of her abuser, and she related that throughout her imprisonment, she had been threatened and physically assaulted on several occasions.

One of the speakers, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, spoke about how the state would not allow offenders living there and how he looks forward to giving survivors greater services.

“We have to start by recognizing these people as victims, and not perpetrator. We need to provide services to victims so we can change this narrative.”

He added that those who engage in sex slavery should face legal consequences.

“They need to be hold accountable for those things. Our state will not stand for this.”

Ford and other witnesses present stated that they think Nevada’s thriving tourist sector and convenient access to major roads are to blame for the state’s high prevalence of sex trafficking.

Credits: FOX RENO

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