Sioux Falls Church Reaching Out to Human Trafficking Victims

A Sioux Falls church is holding a special forum on Human Trafficking Wednesday evening.

Sgt. Tom Ward of the Sioux Falls Street Crimes Unit, who will participate in the event, says Human Trafficking exists in Sioux Falls.

“We do have Human Trafficking here in our community. It’s not to the extent that we’re seeing in larger cities. But, enough that warrants a task force to address it.”

Ward says the special forum on Human Trafficking will bring about awareness to the issue.

“If anybody recognizes signs that a loved one or an associate is involved in Human Trafficking---they should to reach out and assist that person. We need to try and help them!”

Ward says Human Trafficking victims must know that law enforcement is on their side.

“Law enforcement will not look at a Human Trafficking victim as a bad guy in a situation like this. We understand there is coercion involved---the trafficker is the person that we want to address. There are support agencies, law enforcement and church groups that are willing to assist the victims. We just need them to get a hold of us.

The Human Trafficking Forum will be held Wednesday beginning at 6:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall of First Lutheran Church in Downtown Sioux Falls.