Human trafficking conference underway at ORU

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Statistics show Oklahoma ranks among the top states in the nation in terms of human trafficking, particularly among children who are being forced into prostitution.

People from across the nation are gathering here at ORU this week to work together to protect children and rescue victims.

Chances are you have seen a documentary about human trafficking that depicts young children being sold as prostitutes in third world countries. Mark Elam with "Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans" says the fact is, it's happening right here in Green Country.

He says, "Every time the FBI does a sting operation around the nation, they find Oklahoma kids being prostituted and trafficked. It has to do with our location: The I-35 corridor as well as I-40. You've go to come through Oklahoma wherever you are going. And so your kids are very vulnerable."

This conference will be held Monday night and all day Tuesday. It brings together law enforcement, experts, councilors and citizens to better understand the issues involved in trafficking.

Chris Burchell worked trafficking cases in Texas for 27 years. He now leads a non-profit organization called ""Texas Anti-Trafficking in Persons" that fights the industry.

Burchell says some of the young victims are abducted, others are runaways who are lured into the business. "These people will tell them what they want to hear. Develop relationships with them, try to make mom and dad look like the bad guys. And before you know it they are providing sex services to people."

Elam warn that kids are being approached by traffickers on the internet. "We've worked a number of cases recently where we are becoming aware of the fact that predators and pedophiles and traffickers are going online to recruit and find victims."

Burchell says pimps are also using it to sell their victims. "I can tell you it's happening here. There are websites you can get on right now and you can contact a pimp with a matter of minutes right there in your hometown."

This conference will be held at at the Mabee Center on Tuesday. It is open to the public.
For more information about what you can do to help, call Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans at 1-800-955-0128.

 http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story/Human-trafficking-conference-underway-at-ORU/LHOV7Zm8mkK4KZ196s4xUg.cspx

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