College World Series brings increased human trafficking risk to Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – As Omaha expects thousands of people to arrive downtown for the College World Series next week, local human trafficking watch groups and law enforcement are asking everyone to be on high alert.

“This is an everyday thing,” Christina Worster, Homeland Security Investigations special agent said. “It does happen at the College World Series and it happens at all major events.”

Groups of community members were invited to a public awareness event on Wednesday to let them know human trafficking is an issue here in the metro.

Local authorities and human trafficking watch groups like the Set Me Free Project set up signs and brought T-shirts and stickers for the community to be informed.

“We are a hot spot in Omaha and human trafficking is happening for both sex and labor,” said Stephanie Olson, the founder of the Set Me Free Project.

The concern for human trafficking in Omaha comes from a Homeland Security Investigation from December 2020 to December 2023.

The findings showed 220 juveniles were at risk every year in Omaha and there were 44 confirmed juvenile victims over that period. Other findings show there were 34 Task Force investigations, 30 arrests made, and so far there have been 18 convictions.

Olson told 6 News while the data shows youth are most at risk for human trafficking, anyone can be a victim.

“I think we hear that a lot it’s those poor people over, but it’s our youth, our young adults, and all ages in our homes,” Olson said.

During the presentation, Olson showed ways people can protect themsleves and help others. She said if you notice someone involved in a human trafficking situation to not intervene, but be aware of who to contact and the resources needed to address the issue.

“We wanted to really be proactive about what it looks like and what it doesn’t look like and how to really get the community to really understand what’s going on with that,” Olson said.

Law enforcement told 6 News there are a few signs someone may be a victim of human trafficking, which include physical injuries, appearing malnourished or seeming to have scripted social interactions. Other signs can include a lack of ID or travel documents.

Anyone who notices these signs should contact the Nebraska Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-PLS-LOOK (757-5665).

National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888 or text ‘Help’ to 233733. For additional resources click here.

Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.