NASHVILLE, Tenn. (VKRN) - It is a crime that happens every day and is often neglected or not recognized. Authorities say the number of trafficking crimes is staggering, although the actual extent of the actual number of victims is unknown.
“Most people, I think because of some of the movies that came out, expect it to be a great experience of kidnapping, kidnapping and capture, when unfortunately the trafficker is more of a friend than a confidant until the girl realizes what’s going on,” Mary said. Trapnel, founder and executive director of the Coalition to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in Nashville.
Trapnel’s job is to look at and really see the problem in order to get in and lend a helping hand to those who have a glimmer of hope to get out of the trafficking situation.
“Last year, we did 128 rescues and interventions,” Trapnell explained, not just about the local one.
The Nashville Anti-Trafficking Coalition is helping families across Tennessee. The organization even goes on trips to another country to help families in need. For example, Trapnell explained that it is common for a family in Tennessee to want to get their loved one out of a trafficking situation in another state. In these cases, the team will travel there and based on the GPS of the mobile phone provided by the family, they will be able to locate the loved one, hoping to bring them home safely.
Trapnel has seen women and teenagers in every aspect of human trafficking, but says the problem, unfortunately, is not getting better.
“The great thing about Nashville is that we have an economic boom in this region, really in this area of the country, but unfortunately money comes with human trafficking because it’s a business,” Trapnell explained.
She explained that it is becoming especially difficult to keep up with the growing demand, because the Internet serves as another way for these illegal transactions to happen. Web addresses can easily become a hunting ground for predators.
“This industry is growing, partly because of the Internet, it’s easy to book girls, and it’s easy for girls and traffickers to book and make girls available, so that increases the demand for services,” Trapnell said.
Last year, the Tennessee Trafficking Investigation Unit completed 13 covert operations across the state. So far this year, TBI has made 26 arrests when it comes to trafficking operations.
“We see a growing trend of girls growing up in rich homes, and perhaps in private schools, or in church pews, which are, unfortunately, through divorce, sexual abuse and certain vulnerabilities, open and vulnerable mother traders,” Trapnell explained.
However, the organization has not so secret weapons against human trafficking. They are called “Thrivers” and are used to describe women who are now progressing in life after being trafficked. Now, they use their experience to meet others face to face within their reality and serve as a glimmer of hope in what life could be.
“It’s a big deal and they’re a commodity,” Trapnell said. “It’s a test of reality when you say ‘I’ve been there, I’ve experienced this, I know what you’re going through, and there’s hope.’
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There are several ways to report human trafficking if you see it. You can call the National Human Resources Resource Center hotline at 888-373-7888. You can also call your local FBI office or send advice anonymously to TIPS.FBI.gov.