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Polk County Sheriff’s Office issues information during month of January

COLUMBUS—January is human trafficking month and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is educating the public. 

The sheriff’s office says January is dedicated to human trafficking awareness and each Tuesday they will be releasing information regarding human trafficking. 

Last week the sheriff’s office highlighted what human trafficking is, which includes the use of force, fraud or coercion in exchange for labor, services or a commercial sex act. 

This week the sheriff’s office participated in #WEARBLUEDAY. Jan. 11 was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and the sheriff’s office participated. Sheriff’s office officials asked the public to participate by wearing blue and taking pictures and posting to social media with the wearblueday hashtag. 

“Human traffickers use various forms of force, fraud and coercion to control and exploit victims,” the sheriff’s office release said. “These forms can include imposing of debt, fraudulent employment opportunities, false promises of love or a better life, psychological coercion and violence or threats of violence.” 

Human trafficking is a crime that centers itself on the exploitation of another person and does not require transportation to be considered a crime. 

For more information about human trafficking, people can visit humantraffickinghotline.org or dhs.gov/blue-campaign.