On Thursday, Oct. 5, Karlee Liddle, an anti-trafficking specialist from Youthworks North Dakota in Fargo, spoke at length on human trafficking at Lake Region State College. Liddle talked about some of the victims she has encountered, the different types of trafficking that occur, and warning signs of possible trafficking.
“People think it only happens in really big cities, really big states when in reality some of the smallest little towns in North Dakota have had some of the most severe cases of human trafficking,” she said.
Liddle said trafficking not only includes sexual trafficking but also forced labor, drugs, and the biggest in North Dakota being familial trafficking. She recounted stories of minors being born into sex trafficking and becoming exploited “as soon as they can talk.”
Some possible signs of a person being trafficked include branding marks on their skin like a tattoo or cigarette burns. A minor who has no source of income has lots of expensive items. As well, as someone who is being isolated from friends and/or family.
Liddle recounted one incident of labor trafficking of a woman being brought over by someone promising them work. When the woman came over, her documents were confiscated by the trafficker and she was forced to work basically as a slave. As well, she told of another story involving a father who sexually exploited his niece’s friends.
If you suspect someone is being trafficked or you yourself are a victim of trafficking, please call the North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force at 888-373-7888 or the Youthworks Crisis Line at 701-2328558.
