(STURGIS) – Human trafficking is an issue that is on the rise, but not often talked about.

Tuesday night, a public informational meeting was held to discuss the matter, sponsored by the Sturgis District Library.

Annie McGuire, a social worker who spent several years working with victims of human trafficking, started the evening by defining what human trafficking is. ...... {LISTEN}.

Of those three factors, McGuire 70% of human trafficking comes from someone being coerced. ...... {LISTEN}.

While many people think human trafficking only happens in bigger cities, or to people who may use drugs, McGuire says that is not true. She says human trafficking can happen to anyone, and there has been an increase in recent years of it happening in rural areas.

If you suspect human trafficking, McGuire says the first step is to contact your local law enforcement agency.