Watch CBS News

Ten Years In, Officials Remind NJ Citizens To Be Vigilant for Human Trafficking

By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- New Jersey officials are marking the tenth anniversary of the formation of the state's Human Trafficking Task Force by hammering home a simple message:  "Know it. See it. Report it."

Over the years, New Jersey has developed some of the strongest laws in the nation against human trafficking, and thousands of people from law enforcement and elsewhere have been trained to spot when someone might be forced into the sex or drug trade.

But New Jersey attorney general John Hoffman says even the untrained eye can notice a problem.

"Someone who looks and appears like they're being dominated by the person that they're with -- that's often a telltale sign. Sometimes signs of physical abuse can be a telltale sign," he tells KYW Newsradio.

Or perhaps, he adds, suspicious activity at a house down the street, because human trafficking is a statewide issue.

So, officials say, if something just doesn't seem right, it's best to call police.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.