"Raising Awareness and Taking Action: Combatting Human Trafficking Across the Nation"
North Carolina ranks ninth in the nation for human trafficking cases, prompting an awareness event in Raleigh where participants learned about the contributing factors such as substance use, mental health struggles, and domestic violence. Safe Place executive director Dawn Ferrer highlighted the vulnerability of the state due to its highway system, tourist industry, and military bases, with online grooming becoming a common method for the exploitation of boys. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, Jr. emphasized the importance of rescuing and stabilizing victims, while Ferrer stressed the need for survivors to share their stories to aid in convicting exploiters.