As January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the City of Columbia Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement urges the community to raise awareness, stay vigilant, and support survivors of human trafficking. In South Carolina, human trafficking is defined as the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for labor or commercial sex acts. It occurs when an individual is subjected to such exploitation, which can include recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for exploitation. The Department of Homeland Security lists common signs include individuals appearing fearful or submissive; lack of control over their own identification, schedule, or living conditions; signs of physical abuse; being controlled by another adult; or engaging in sex work under unusual or coercive conditions.
While statistics and data are scarce for human trafficking at both the national and state level, due in large part to the underground nature of the crime, the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force releases an annual report. According to 2024 data released by the SC Attorney General’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigated 285 trafficking tips statewide, nearly 400 potential victims, many minors. The National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) also reported dozens of incidents from South Carolina with hundreds of likely victims. The National Human Trafficking Hotline website has valuable information on local services and reporting, as well as tips on staying safe. You can also send a text or instant chat message, and there is a teletypewriter (TTY: 711) number for those who need accessibility features.
National resources also include the Hotline and…