Human Trafficking Prevention Workshop Draws Crowd in Kenosha

The workshop included a presentation on how the LIFE Initiative aids recovery and provides support to survivors of trafficking.

Children aged 8 to 16 took part in a hands-on self-defense and safety workshop hosted by On Point Training. They also received information about internet safety, grooming and what to do if they or their friends find themselves in a potentially dangerous situation.

County Executive Samantha Kerkman said Kenosha County is working to ensure communication between law enforcement, county agencies and county government.

State Rep. Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, said the Assembly created the task of sharing government resources with other local governments and allowing local law enforcement to communicate with the state Department of Justice to combat human trafficking.

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, Republican of Wisconsin, said he is working to address the financial component of human trafficking, including how some people are tricked into trafficking through a so-called cash-back scheme to enter the United States.

He also discussed how traffickers would try to pretend they are part of a family in order to enter the United States.

As the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention approach, speakers discussed how large events, including political conventions, sporting events and other gatherings, make cities more vulnerable to human trafficking.