Last week, Wisconsin officials and Governor Ever’s administration announced they will be working specifically with convenience stores and motels to increase the understanding of human trafficking.

Recent reports indicate that there is general confusion between prostitution or human trafficking. Officials have urged anyone with concerns to simply report it, as it can be very difficult for victims to come forward on their own.

The state justice department released a report earlier this month which assessed sex trafficking in Wisconsin (WPR, 2020).

Within the 2019 Law Enforcement Assessment of Human Trafficking, a local county sheriff states, “There are a lot of people coming and going to this area. Most of the cases my agency has worked have included other agencies such as DCI or the FBI. Often the victims and their traffickers are only here for an extended weekend and then go back to Madison, Milwaukee or Chicago. I don't think we have ever had a case of trafficking reported directly to us.” 

A police chief states, “We have not encountered or discovered any human trafficking cases but I read about the prevalence of cases in Wisconsin. So I wonder if we're not digging deep enough or asking the right questions.”

Wisconsin’s DOJ says it is difficult to estimate or report the number of human trafficking or sex crimes because it is so under-reported.

According to State Patrol Sgt Harman Chahal,

"Victims are often reluctant to seek help due to threat of force by the trafficker. Illegal drugs are often involved and used as additional leverage against victims."

Additionally, the average age for targeted trafficking is 12 years old and often begins online.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families has been distributing training resources with the DOJ to anyone working in the hospitality industry, specifically hotels and lodging. A recent private sector partnership was created between the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association in the effort to fight human trafficking.

To read the article from Wisconsin Public Radio, click here.