Executive Summary
- The RISE Coalition is conducting training for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month to help the public identify trafficking signs.
- Regional data reveals over 1,100 trafficking reports were filed in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri in 2024.
- Key indicators of trafficking include a lack of identification, physical signs of abuse, and fearful behavior.
- Law enforcement is utilizing specialized training to distinguish between drug-related offenses and human trafficking victimization.
JOPLIN, Mo. — In observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the RISE Coalition is intensifying efforts to educate the public on recognizing and reporting signs of human trafficking. Karolyn Schrage, the coalition’s Victim Services Coordinator, emphasized that the crime is indiscriminate, affecting individuals regardless of race, age, or ethnicity, and urged the community to remain vigilant.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel individuals into sex acts, labor, or services. Data indicates that the issue remains prevalent in the central United States; in 2024, the hotline received more than 1,100 reports from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri combined. In Missouri specifically, 167 of those reports originated directly from survivors.
Schrage highlighted specific indicators that members of the community should look for, including individuals who avoid eye contact, appear fearful, exhibit signs of physical abuse such as bruises, or lack possession of their own identification documents like passports. “Human trafficking is really when anyone chooses to possess or control another human being,” Schrage stated, noting the global nature of the problem.
The coalition is currently training hospital staff, law enforcement officers, and social workers to identify these red flags. Chad Allison, Commander of the Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, noted that specialized training allows officers to better evaluate complex situations. Allison explained that officers are learning to distinguish between individuals present due to drug dependency and those who may be victims of a trafficking operation.
Community Vigilance Strategy
The collaborative approach between advocacy groups like RISE and law enforcement agencies signals a strategic shift toward community-based surveillance to combat trafficking. By extending training beyond police departments to include retail workers, educators, and hospitality staff, authorities aim to increase the identification rate of victims who often pass through public spaces unnoticed. This operational protocol relies heavily on public engagement to supplement official enforcement efforts, particularly in identifying the subtle behavioral cues associated with coercion that may not be immediately apparent during routine law enforcement encounters.
