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As National Human Trafficking Prevention Month (or National Human Trafficking Awareness Month) continues, there's a growing chorus of people speaking out about it.

This is taking place in the hopes of raising awareness about human trafficking and aiding the fight against such a horrific crime and violation of human rights.

Earlier this month, January 11, was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. During this time, everyday people, state officials, US government agencies, and others spoke out against trafficking.

The 11th was also Wear Blue Day, as a show of support for trafficking survivors and victims who have yet to be rescued.

With just over a week before National Human Trafficking Prevention/Awareness Month ends, Kentucky State Police, along with their governor, are hard at work to raise awareness.

A closer look at Kentucky's efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking

The Kentucky State Police formed the Human Trafficking Unit in order to fight this crime when it emerges in their state. Unit member Sergeant Vicki Day stressed that National Human Trafficking Prevention/Awareness month is a great time for reflection.

This reflection should be not only reserved for those who have survived human trafficking, but also for people who are fighting human trafficking.

Day furthermore pointed out that when the general public is more aware of the signs of human trafficking, they're better equipped to help fight this crime.

The Kentucky State Police sergeant also wants the public to understand that human trafficking takes place in a currently ongoing cycle.

Part of breaking this cycle means being able to spot the warning signs. Some warning signs of human trafficking are as follows:

• Suddenly detaching from friends, family, and other loved ones
• Out-of-the-blue appearances of gifts, cash, food, or other material possession
• Major behavioral shifts
• Lack of attendance at school or work

A message from the governor

The governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, also has some important words about the fight against human trafficking. Like the Kentucky State Police, Gov. Beshear stresses the significance of everyone knowing the signs of human trafficking.

Furthermore, the Kentucky governor assures that his own administration remains committed to not just stopping human trafficking, but also to giving survivors help and personal empowerment.

Before Beshear's time as governor, he worked as Kentucky's attorney general, actively in the fight against human trafficking. Part of his work involved establishing the Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention and Prosecution.

After establishing this office, Beshear had personnel work with Kentucky law enforcement in order to train officials statewide and help with reports of human trafficking.

An important message from a survivor

Similarly to the Kentucky State Police and governor, a survivor of human trafficking in Kentucky has an important message for the general public.

This message stresses that after a person experiences human trafficking, they face "life-altering" impacts. Moreover, human trafficking and drug trafficking often go hand-in-hand with one another.

Because of this, anyone who witnesses children in the same proximity to drug trafficking or drug traffickers should be on guard and alert the proper authorities.

Anyone who wishes to report what they believe to be human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by text at 233733.