The United States suffers from human trafficking in all 50 states. Many people remain not fully aware of the pervasive nature of trafficking. Some folks believe it just happens in remote, distant, poor communities. Though this couldn't be further from the truth.

Human trafficking hides in plain sight. Furthermore, the internet is being increasingly weaponized by traffickers as they work to find new victims, many of whom are children.

This makes it all the more imperative for people throughout society to be united in the fight against human trafficking.

Towards the end of last month, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released a report about work his state is doing to help survivors and hold perpetrators of human trafficking accountable.

A closer look at Virginia's work to fight human trafficking

In Virginia, the Commission on Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Support has some clear insight into the necessary steps to take going forward.

These steps include finding ways to drive down cases of human trafficking, while also ascertaining solutions to systemically combat human trafficking.

To this extent, Gov. Youngkin says his state is working with the commission to determine legislative avenues for battling this problem. Moreover, Virginia's anti-human trafficking commission is digging into patterns, trends, and other critical details pertaining to this crime.

Towards the end of 2022, Youngkin also proposed extra funds for boosting roles at the Virginia State Police, including positions designed to combat human trafficking.

Tackling human trafficking at the legislative level

Part of ending human trafficking will mean having harsher laws on the books against it. This, alone, will help dissuade at least a percentage of would-be traffickers and those who purchase from traffickers.

In Nevada, the state legislature is considering a bill that would significantly crack down on sex traffickers who target children (online).

Due to the widespread nature of human trafficking in America alone, each and every state could benefit from increasing the stakes of their anti-trafficking laws. This will help send a message that America, the land of the free, has no tolerance for the buying or selling of human beings.

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.