TUNKHANNOCK, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's a crime that is often hidden in plain sight, and it can happen anywhere, even in northeastern Pennsylvania.
On Tuesday, law enforcement, educators, healthcare professionals, and more gathered for the NEPA Task Force Against Human Trafficking Regional Training Program.
"If I can save just one life with my story, everything that I have been through is worth it," Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) Training Specialist and Survivor Leader Kelley Alsobrook said.
Alsobrook is a survivor turned training specialist and activist and works with TAT.
She shared her story with more than 200 people at Tuesday's regional training program, organized by the NEPA Task Force Against Human Trafficking.
Fundraiser held for Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center
The conference helps professionals better identify and combat the ongoing epidemic.
Experts say it's a crime where victims are often hiding in plain sight, in places like hotels, grocery stores, and even rest stops.
"Is that person able to look you in the eye? Does that person have any bruises on them? Are they fearful? Or do they come off extremely brash?" Alsobrook explained.
The setting of rural Wyoming County emphasized that human trafficking can take place anywhere, and, anyone can fall victim.
"What we're seeing more and more is elders. We're seeing adult children moving into their parent's homes, taking over their homes, putting their parents out to work, sex and labor, and the parents will never admit to anybody it's happening," said City of Baltimore Director of Forensic Nursing Debra Holbrook.
Holbrook works directly with victims.
"These are our neighbors, these are the children in our communities. These are the kids we're teaching in school, they're our patients. They're people you know," Holbrook continued.
Tuesday's event serves as a reminder: when it comes to helping victims, compassion and collaboration, go a long way.
