Human trafficking in the United States is receiving more national attention from federal prosecutors, local law enforcement agencies, social service workers and the general public. As many as 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year, according to government data. Yet skeptics continue to challenge the extent of trafficking, arguing that the actual number of reported incidents reflects a relatively minor problem. Judges and law enforcement officials, especially at the local level, are often among the doubters. Many still perceive human trafficking as an international issue that is rare or nonexistent in their communities.

Which raises an interesting question: if more police officers and judges were trained in understanding the many ways in which human trafficking plays out, what would the result be? Would cities and towns finally begin to realize that trafficking in human beings is a real – and growing – menace everywhere?

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