Human trafficking spotlighted

Authorities aim to boost awareness of victims' plight

Lindsey Collom
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 12, 2008 12:00 AM

Federal and state officials are stepping up efforts to prosecute human traffickers and aid their victims.

Authorities on Friday called for public awareness and urged trafficking victims to come forward. Their message coincided with National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, established by the U.S. Senate in June.

Authorities say human trafficking is vastly underreported. The State Department estimates between 18,000 and 20,000 people are forcibly brought into the country each year.

But foreign nationals are not the only victims; U.S. citizens are also being held against their will and forced to work in sweatshops, prostitution rings, private homes, agriculture and other enterprises.

"Simply put, human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery," said Diane Humetewa, U.S. attorney in Arizona.