Human Trafficking is not something we think of as happening in our hometown, but the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County and the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office spoke to the Rotary Club about the facts. Nicole Amabile of the Shelter told Rotarians that victims fall into two categories of trafficking, sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Victims of trauma and abuse, who are the heartbeat of the Crisis Shelter’s mission, are among the most vulnerable populations to experience trafficking. Therefore, the Crisis Shelter has deemed it essential to ensure that human trafficking victims have a voice in Lawrence County.

To that end, with the support of the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, the crisis shelter has assembled a Human Trafficking Taskforce. The Crisis Shelter has also hired a full-time counselor who specializes in providing necessary services and referrals to human trafficking victims identified in Lawrence County. They have also launched an educational campaign to spread awareness. For more information go to the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County’s Human Trafficking page.

Nicole Amabile was joined by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Miller. To report suspected human trafficking activity, call the District Attorney’s Office at 724-656-1956.