NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Big events bring big concerns about human trafficking and even though it is definitely on the radar of those providing security for the upcoming NFL Draft in Nashville, they aren't expecting a drastic increase in the crime.
Margie Quin, a criminal justice professor at Cumberland University, said stopping sex trafficking should be a daily focus not just during high volume weekends.
Quin worked with several human trafficking victims during her 21-year career with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. She said an uptick in human trafficking during the draft is more of a myth.
"I think we want to be aware every single day. I think the TBI's undercover sting operation is a perfect example of the fact that we can find trafficking in our state anywhere at anytime at it can involve any person. Anytime you have additional traffic in and around any given state you could end up with additional crime in that particular area," she said.
Quin said people should look out for signs of distress, and for young people not where they belong - like at hotels or truck stops. Victims can be male or female and range in age.
"Younger people with older boyfriends, individuals who don't know where they are or what city they're in are all signs. We should be as concerned on the day of the NFL Draft as we are on any other day," she said.
If you see someone who you suspect is a victim of human trafficking, call 9-1-1 or the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-558-6484.
For more information visit the End Slavery Tennessee website. The TBI also has additional resources here: https://ithastostop.com/
