Local agencies in the area conduct a sex trafficking conference to offer training and awareness

ROANOKE, Va. –    According to the Justice Department, approximately 300,000 American children are at risk of being sold into prostitution.

The department has also found that Roanoke is seeing a rise in human trafficking. Agencies dedicated to fighting the problem gathered on Thursday in the Star City.

These organizations are working together to create a space and place to help victims who are suffering.

Street Ransom Communications Coordinator Rebekah Broughton says that there are certain signs to look out for in individuals who become trafficking victims. 

“There are a lot of similarities between both domestic violence and sex trafficking,” said Broughton.

“Most victims of sex trafficking have experienced some type of domestic abuse and that's because the abuse becomes normalized in the behavior.”

The event was hosted by the Family Violence Coordinating Council and Street Ransom.