Human trafficking is a dark, uncomfortable topic that many people prefer not to think about.
Unfortunately, a lack of thought directed toward human trafficking doesn’t erase its existence; if anything, refusing to take on this issue further perpetuates it by emboldening predators and leaving victims defenseless and trapped.
Recent years have seen greater amounts of attention directed toward human trafficking.
More laws have been passed to have the human trafficking hotline number posted in various settings. Furthermore, states have approved human trafficking training for individuals working in jobs with a higher likelihood of encountering traffickers or their victims.
However, a long road remains ahead before human trafficking is completely rooted out. Survivors of human trafficking continue living with their experiences each day to an extent that most people can’t imagine.
In Michigan, one of these survivors, Leslie King, was recently pardoned by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
What to know about King’s pardoning
Unfortunately, the criminal justice system often unfairly penalizes survivors of human trafficking. For quite some time, certain power players have viewed trafficking victims as willing prostitutes, rather than exploited individuals.
