UPDATED: 1:50 pm PDT September 30, 2010
BEND, Ore. -- Experts say human trafficking is the second-largest crime in the United States, but it's one that many times goes undetected.
A victim could be anyone and could be found anywhere, including here in Central Oregon.
That's why groups here on the High Desert say education on the matter is key in saving lives.
"Human trafficking is a politically correct word," said Nita Belles of Oregonians Against Trafficking of Humans."Really what we're dealing with is modern-day slavery. These people are slaves in every sense of the word."
Belles says groups like hers are trying to doing their part and educate as many people as possible to raise awareness of these crimes. Tuesday night, OATH held a forum in Bend to talk about how to fight the problem. A few dozen people were in attendance.
"I think people think it's in other countries and it doesn't happen in the United States, and it does," said Tony Oliver, a Redmond resident.
"I just wanted to learn more about what's going on and how we could maybe help in the area," said Bend resident Hanna McCallum."People don't know because we're kind of like how domestic violence was in the '80s," said Belles.
"Where it doesn't happen here, and if it did, we wouldn't talk about it."
"It does happen here," said Belles.
"There's sex trafficking, there's labor trafficking. And if we can start to talk about it, then people know it's something to look for.
"Runaways are the most commonly targeted by traffickers, Belles says, and one in three will be approached within 48 hours.
Multnomah County sheriff's Deputy Keith Bickford said he has seen at least 100 cases in the past year of human trafficking, and the laws in place are not enough.
"Right now, the Oregon laws need to be beefed up quite a bit, and make it something worthwhile," said Bickford.
"Right now, if we had a trafficking victim, we really wouldn't want to charge the trafficker with human trafficking, because the laws aren't strong enough."
Belles says she hopes these talks will be an eye-opener for people in our community.
There will be another opportunity for the community Wednesday night to get educated about human trafficking.
OATH, along with other local organizations, will host a "Human Trafficking Community Awareness Night" at 7 p.m. at St. Charles Medical Center.
All are welcome.Links to resources:
Central Oregon OATH (Oregonians Against the Trafficking of Humans) : www.cooath.org.
Polaris Project : www.polarisproject.org www.polarisproject.org.
[Click on link below to view video.]
Group Focuses Spotlight on Human Trafficking - News Story - KTVZ Bend
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