Community leaders gathered Thursday in Grand Rapids to educate members of the tourism and hospitality industries on recognizing potential victims of human trafficking. Hosted by Women at Risk international, the human trafficking conference hoped to shed light on human trafficking in West Michigan.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Grand Rapids had the second highest calls in the state received by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, and in a recent raid by the FBI, Michigan had the 2nd highest number of children rescued from human trafficking in the nation.
People who suspect human trafficking or victims are encouraged to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center or Women at Risk International. Women at Risk international officials say the receive 3200 calls every month.
