Our Blog
Human Trafficking, a Crime That Often Remains Hidden
Human Trafficking Awareness Month provides a chance to learn more about a crime that often remains hidden — and can be much closer to home than many realize. Human trafficking affects communities across the world, including right here in South Carolina. At Hopeful Horizons, our work supporting survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence often intersects with the realities of human trafficking.
Human trafficking involves exploiting people through force, fraud, or coercion for labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of servitude. For children, coercion does not need to be present for trafficking to occur. Traffickers often prey on vulnerability, and trafficking can be a continuation of other forms of abuse.
It is important to understand that individuals who are being trafficked may not identify themselves as victims. Many survivors do not recognize their experiences as trafficking due to manipulation, fear, dependency, or normalization of abuse. If asked directly, “Are you being trafficked?” the answer is often no — even when exploitation is occurring. This reluctance or inability to self-identify is one reason trafficking can remain hidden for so long.
Hopeful Horizons offers no-cost services to survivors, including forensic interviews, emergency shelter, therapy, and legal advocacy, and we are also committed to education and prevention.
Recent statewide data illustrates the ongoing impact of trafficking in South Carolina. In 2024, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigated 285 tips that involved nearly 400 potential victims, with a majority of cases involving minors, and investigations occurred in 40 of the state’s 46 counties. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 64 incidents and 111 likely victims in that year.
In 2025, state data showed SLED investigated 315 tips involving more than 300 potential victims across 41 counties, and a significant majority of those cases involved minors.
This data underscores that human trafficking is not limited to distant places — it happens here, often affecting young people and other vulnerable community members. Raising awareness and understanding the signs of trafficking helps us protect those at risk.
You can help by learning the warning signs, sharing information with others, and speaking up if you suspect someone may be in danger. Signs may include individuals who appear fearful or controlled, lack identification or basic necessities, display signs of abuse or neglect, or children who are unsupervised or working excessively.
If you suspect human trafficking or abuse, contact local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (available 24/7). Your awareness and action could help save a life.
To learn more about Hopeful Horizons’ services or how you can get involved in efforts to end human trafficking, email [email protected].