WHEELING – A discussion about human trafficking geared toward local law enforcement and social service providers is set for Wheeling next week.

The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia and the YWCA Wheeling are partnering to present “Human Trafficking: An Invisible Epidemic” from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Highlands Event Center.

Continuing education credits are available to those in law enforcement and social work, and those wanting to register for the event should email Stacy.Bishop@usdoj.gov.

The YWCA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office offered a similar seminar six years ago, but the COVID-19 era has delayed any additional discussions on human trafficking, according to Lori Jones, executive director of Wheeling YWCA.

The YWCA partners with the U.S. Attorney’s Office as it has access to the experts in the field of human trafficking issues, she continued.

During the session, attendees will get a lesson in “Trafficking 101” – what it is, and how traffickers groom their victims, Jones said

A representative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will discuss international trafficking issues, while another session will focus on sex trafficking and how it is happening across the U.S. and in the Ohio Valley. A panel discussion will conclude the session.

Human trafficking is a rapidly growing problem in the Ohio Valley, but it isn’t happening in the way most think it is, Jones explained. In fact, she continued, many victims don’t realize they have been a victim until they speak with counselors.

Human trafficking is defined as “coercion that benefits someone else,” and locally the issue most often involves drug activity, Jones said.

“Surprisingly, yes, we are seeing more and more,” she said. “When we started our program six years ago, maybe there was one or two or month who came in.

“This past year, every month since July, we have seen 15 to 16 each month who have identified themselves as being trafficked. Most of the time they didn’t even know it is happening. It’s more of a realization that came to them through conversations.”

The YWCA Wheeling Survivors of Trafficking Empowerment Program (STEP) is dedicated to supporting survivors of labor and sex trafficking in West Virginia. YWCA Wheeling provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and legal and case management services to all victims of human trafficking – both labor and sex trafficking – including men, women, children, foreign nationals or U.S. citizens

The STEP Program helps children and adults regardless of gender or gender identity so they can heal emotionally, find justice, and rebuild their lives, according to the YWCA website.

“The U.S. Attorney’s office is fantastic,” Jones said. “If anybody has a suspicion human trafficking is happening, they should call the U.S. Attorney’s Office and they will take you through the process, and tell you how to help the victim through victim advocacy.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office can be reached at 855-WVA-FEDS or by emailing wvafeds@usdoj.gov.

YWCA Wheeling can be contacted at 304-232-0511.