Carol Stream, IL – In light of last week’s news of a major human trafficking bust in the Chicagoland region, State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro is encouraging the community to familiarize themselves with the signs of human trafficking and sexual assault.
“Last week, we found out about a substantial human trafficking operation happening right here in our own neighborhoods,” Representative Sanalitro said.
“We’re relieved this operation is shut down, but there is still a lot of work to do to prevent this from happening in the future,” Sanalitro continued. “As members of our communities, we all play a key role in spotting, reporting, and ultimately stopping human trafficking. The first step is knowing the signs.”
Sanalitro shared several signs of human trafficking, including individuals showing unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, signs of fear or stress, and unusual fear or reluctance to interact with others. Other signs include frequent visits from unfamiliar vehicles to a single residence, or homes with significant off-hour activity followed by long periods of inactivity.
“Remember, victims might not ask for help directly. That’s why we need to keep our eyes open,” she said. “If you see something that doesn’t seem right, if something makes you worry, it’s crucial to report it.”
If you think someone might be a victim of human trafficking, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit their website at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/contact.
“Let’s remember, each of us can help fight human trafficking,” Sanalitro added. “By learning more, staying alert, and reporting anything suspicious, we can work together to put an end to this modern-day slavery.”
Rep. Sanalitro is the State Representative for House District 48, which includes the communities of Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Elk Grove, Hanover Park, Itasca, Medinah, Roselle, Schaumburg, and Wood Dale in suburban DuPage and Cook counties.