Residents warned human trafficking can take place anywhere

Sister Pat Conlan and Sister Marie Barth visited Lawler where they shared stories of trafficking and actions that can take to help restore dignity and healing to victims.The event took place at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church where community members, church members and students gathered to listen to the presentation.The Sisters are both members of the Tri-State Collation to End Human Trafficking. They actively work to inform groups, medical personnel and others about the signs of trafficking and how people can be involved to help end human trafficking. They are also active with the legislative process to help craft and urge passage for laws to help victims of human trafficking.The group Signs of Christ from the parish performed a song where they signed the words for those that are silenced.Sister Pat Conlan said there have been cases in the Decorah and Fredericksburg areas.“If it isn’t here yet, it will be,” said Sister Conlan.Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery and victims are subject to force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitations or forced labor.Children who are victims of human trafficking may be mistaken for prostitutes, runaway youth, migrant farm workers or domestic servants. But by looking beneath the surface, picking up on the right clues and asking the right questions, you may uncover children who are being exploited.If you suspect a child is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888.