Calling human trafficking a modern form of slavery, Governor Pete Ricketts on Tuesday proclaimed January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Nebraska.
Ricketts says 22 human trafficking cases were prosecuted across the state in 2021. Attorney General Doug Petersen Peterson credits training and partnerships for the increase in arrests and convictions of sex traffickers.
Last August 26th and 27th Nebraska took part in Operation United Front, which was an operation across 12 different states to combat human trafficking. The operation resulted in seven arrests throughout the state.
Petersen highlighted the biggest sex trafficking case that came out of Furnas County. At least 18 men have been sentenced, including William Quinn who was given a 176 year prison sentence at the end of December.
Ricketts stressed the importance of everyone being aware of common signs of human trafficking in areas like hotels, casinos, rest stops and gas stations, including someone who doesn’t seem to have control over their credit card, driver’s license or their cellphone. Other signs include physical injuries, not making eye contact and a fear of law enforcement.
Peterson and the Department of Health and Human Services are actively working to educate county attorneys, police, state employees and schools. The Nebraska Hospital Association has also begun training emergency room doctors to recognize warning signs.
Nebraska State Patrol Colonel John Bolduc says if you see something that doesn’t look right, if you see one of the signs of human trafficking call 911. “That phone call could be all the difference to that victim in rescuing them out of that situation.”
If you know someone involved in or have recognized signs of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
Click here to learn more or file a report online