SE Minnesota News

PeroDigm has launched its "Your Call MN" campaign which provides a place for human trafficking victims to seek help and serves as an avenue for witnesses of trafficking to report it.

When a victim calls the line provided, they will be connected with someone at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for further assistance. Those calling to report trafficking will also be directed to the BCA.

The campaign was created in collaboration with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force, Tribes United Against Sex Trafficking and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Kelly Haffield, commander of the TRUST Task Force and a sex trafficking investigator, told KTTC that trafficking is something that happens each day in plain sight and affects all walks of life. 

Haffield said many predators attract their victims through social media. She shared the six stages of grooming a child.

"They try to fill a need with that person because a lot of times there's issues going on where they don't have family support or social support," Haffield told KTTC. "Then, they isolate them from their friends or family and then the cycle of abuse begins."

The campaign is also incorporating training for police departments, schools and hotel and casino workers.

Creative director Rob Pero of PeroDigm said a 20-minute film where trafficking victims tell their stories will be released in November.

"We want to make people aware of what's happening right in front our eyes. Even if you can't see it, and maybe we don't want to see it, it's time we start looking at the ugly truth," Pero said.

More information can be found at the Your Call MN website.