Smart Talk: Human trafficking in PA?

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, January 29, 2014:

Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world. It generates about $32 billion a year. It’s estimated between 12-20 million people are trafficked around the world.

Human trafficking forces people into the commercial sex trade or labor.

Most victims of human trafficking are women or girls who are forced into prostitution, pornography, or exploited sexually. Research indicates about 79% of all human trafficking is for sexual purposes.

The remainder could be called modern-day slaves — men or women who are coerced into working for little or no pay.

Many believe human trafficking doesn’t happen here — it’s a crime that occurs overseas or in big cities.

The reality is it does happen in Pennsylvania, which is considered a pass-through state, but it also is home to those who traffic in commercial sex or those who pay for it.

As part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Smart Talk sheds light on an issue that doesn’t get much attention in Pennsylvania.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888.

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Appearing on the program are Timothy Bradley Jr., a human trafficking victim’s advocate, Bethany Woodcock, founder of the anti-trafficking group Not in My Backyard, and Kelly Towers, Lancaster Task Force Leader of the group Love 146.