FORT SMITH, Ark. — Law enforcement and community members were invited to the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith's (UAFS) campus to learn more about spotting the signs of human trafficking on April 18.
UAFS partnered with the United States Department of Homeland Security to host a human trafficking symposium titled "Human Trafficking: Hear, Learn, Share."
The morning session was designed specifically for law enforcement officials, while the afternoon session was open to the public.
“I think it requires us all to work together to educate the public on what human trafficking is and the different forms that it can take,” Clay Fowlkes, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, said. “The really important part of it is to advise law enforcement when you see something that may be human trafficking, to know what the signs are.”
Throughout the day, attendees had a chance to hear from experts in this field, including public safety officials who currently work to curb criminal activity. Survivors of human trafficking also shared their stories.
"These sessions are about outreach,” Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Mary Wuestewald said. “People need to know what to look for, who to contact, and we just need to get a better grasp on what human trafficking is, and let people know that it is here."
Wuestewald added that Western Arkansas’ location has a lot to do with the trafficking that goes on here.
"On a local level, traffickers like to use the interstates and so we're in a very unique position here geographically with our proximity to I-40," Wuestewald said.
Jeremy Shein, special agent for Arkansas Homeland Security Investigations, said signs people are being trafficked are there if people are looking.
"A person who doesn't seem to have their own free will," Shein said. "Maybe someone else, every time a question is asked of them, like simple questions that they should be able to answer, they're always looking to the person next to them to provide that answer for them."
Shein said the public needs to be proactive in helping to curb this issue.
"We have a tip line, 866-DHS-2423," Shein said. "But I just want to encourage people, that if it looks like somebody is in danger, somebody's life may be threatened, 911 is absolutely the way to go."
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.