Human trafficking makes appearance in state

Nebraskans enjoy a relatively sheltered life, but that doesn't mean the seedier elements of the world are unknown in our cities and rural areas.

That came to light again last week when 21 Omaha-area people were arrested and two underage victims were recovered in an FBI operation targeting human trafficking, the agency reported.

"Operation Cross Country" focused on underage victims of prostitution in areas like hotels, apartment buildings and truck stops.

Nationwide, 149 victims were recovered, one as young as 12 years old and three of them transgendered boys. One hundred and 53 pimps were arrested, three of them in the Omaha area.

Not long ago, the policy was changed to emphasize getting the children back into a safe environment rather than arresting them.

Like every other business today, "the oldest profession" has quickly adopted e-commerce techniques, attracting customers through thinly-disguised online advertising.

Large eastern Nebraska events, such as the College World Series and Nebraska football weekends, bring out pimps and prostitutes along with the sports fans.

Even stodgy Berkshire Hathaway investors apparently interested in more immediate returns, 23 people arrested in eight hours during a sting at last year's shareholder's meeting, half of them prostitutes, half would-be customers.

Whatever their age, victims of human trafficking are often vulnerable people with histories of abuse who fall prey to violence and threats of violence, lies, false promises, debt bondage and other forms of control and manipulation.

In 2012, according to the Nebraska Crime Commission, 198 prostitution arrests were made in our state, up from 141 the previous year, not including those charged under federal laws.

Federal officials are involved because prostitutes and pimps often cross state lines, using online advertising and easy mobility to work in cities where large events attract visitors.

Human trafficking is estimated to be a $32 billion industry, trapping workers through legitimate-sounding offers to be seasonal farm workers, hotel and restaurant workers, domestic servants, nannies and student travel opportunities. They may be "sold" to another or forced to work off debt related to travel, food and housing, with astronomical interest rates that accumulate daily and can never be paid off.

By the time young women and men are in the social services system, they have often been trapped in the sex trade for five to 10 years.

They're easy to control, because their handlers have them convinced no one cares about them or will miss them when they're gone.

Young, female, poor children and adults who grew up in an abusive home, are runaways and have little or no education are most vulnerable to falling prey to human trafficking.

If you or someone you know hear of an offer that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Find out more about human trafficking and how to protect yourself, family and friends at http://bit.ly/1Ow6Yru or calling the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at (800) 373-7888