Human trafficking occurs when force, fraud, or coercion are employed to get people to perform various services. In many cases, these services are laborious or sexual in nature.

Despite the abhorrent nature of human trafficking, the average person does not spend much time thinking about this issue. Then, there's also the misconception that human trafficking doesn't happen here in America and only takes place in impoverished nations.

In reality, human trafficking exists in every single country around the world. Here in America, it also maintains a presence in every single state.

Though Virginia is taking new action to raise awareness about human trafficking via public college courses.

Critical courses for public college studies

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently signed a law that mandates freshmen students attending public colleges to receive courses on both awareness and prevention of human trafficking.

Anti-human trafficking advocates and activists believe this will send a message that the community cares about fighting this crime. Likewise, this law is taking praise for fostering meaningful conversations about anti-human trafficking measures.

So far, the focus of this new law centers around public college students. However, there is a possibility that versions of it could materialize in middle schools and high schools.

In fact, this would pose a great benefit to the community, given the rise of human traffickers using social media and other online forums to target children.

Collective efforts against human trafficking

Human trafficking's widespread nature and its ability to fly under the radar so often speaks to the need for collective efforts to eradicate it.

Awareness is the very first step.

Without awareness, people can't recognize human trafficking or know how to report it to the authorities. Furthermore, increasing awareness about human trafficking can also help people recognize whether they or their loved ones may be the current targets of a trafficker.

Hopefully, other states will take similar action to ensure their college students are aware of human trafficking and good prevention tactics.

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.