JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – The FBI says traffickers often use manipulation and violence to keep victims silent, and non-English speakers are being increasingly targeted. In Jefferson County, a new program is helping bridge the gap between victims and emergency services.
The Child Trafficking Solutions Project is expanding its I-Speak program, giving first responders tools to communicate with people who speak other languages.
Victims can use booklets with dozens of languages and symbols to explain what happened or access a 24-hour interpretation hotline.
“When they’re in trauma and in a crisis, they’ve been raped, they’ve been trafficked, maybe they’ve been in some kind of violent car accident, any kind of a crisis … to be able to speak to that first responder in their own language and be able to communicate is huge,” said Jan Bell, director of the Child Trafficking Solutions Project.
Henry Irby, public information officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, said the program builds trust with the community…