South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, chair of the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, has announced the launch of TravelWatch SC during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the US. The awareness campaign began on January 11 in three major airports: Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and Myrtle Beach International Airport.
“Human trafficking happens in our backyards,” Wilson said. “Most of the time, it’s not far off in exotic places but in our local communities. Raising awareness is critical to fighting human trafficking. This partnership will reach thousands of travelers in South Carolina every day and help equip them with warning signs to look for to combat this horrific crime.”
TravelWatch SC involves the airports running digital signs featuring the National Human Trafficking Hotline contact information. Each location will also share Hotline posters and stickers as well as educational brochures that include information about regional task forces. The state task force will continue to develop additional resources for each location throughout the year.
“We are thrilled to launch TravelWatch SC to increase awareness of human trafficking in South Carolina,” said Kathryn Moorehead, director of the task force. “We are grateful to the three major airports for their help in providing critical information to those traveling into our state.”
The larger initiative will continue with a focus on partnering with others working within the transportation and tourism sectors. The goal is to increase traveler knowledge about the signs of human trafficking, how to report a suspected incident while in South Carolina and how victims can access services. The state task force plans to expand the initiative to include bus stations, train stations, rest stops, hotels and motels, and with trucking companies and similar stakeholders.
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