For the past seven decades, the College World Series has been a staple of summer for the Omaha community.

Baseball fans from near and far can be found on every corner of the city during the nearly two-week long event. The hot summer days are filled with tailgating, chanting and of course avid baseball watching. (And you can't forget the traditional baseball stadium snacks.)

While this is precisely the fixings for a great time, the influx of people in the area also presents an opportune time for human traffickers to find their next victims. And while this can be a difficult subject to discuss, it's important that it be brought to light, especially during a large sporting event that draws people together from all across the country.

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking occurs when people profit from exploiting others through force, fraud, coercion or deception.

In 2018, there were 27 human sex trafficking cases reported to the National Human Sex Trafficking Hotline in the state of Nebraska. The Governor Task Force on Human Trafficking reported that 47 Nebraska school girls are known to be trafficked each year, but the number is most likely much higher.

Sex trafficking is happening in our very own neighborhoods and often times goes unnoticed and unreported. However, knowing the signs of human sex trafficking can ultimately help to save lives.

What are the signs of human trafficking? Where can it be reported?

Physical harm and expressed fear aren't the only ways to determine whether someone is in immediate danger. Sometimes, victims may seem disconnected or disoriented. Or, perhaps a young person looks to be of school age, but they are not in school during regular hours. These are all red flags that should not be ignored.

To help bring attention to this issue, the Women's Fund of Omaha has compiled a helpful list of signs and local resources, which can be found at: www.omahawomensfund.org/not-on-my-watch/

Clearwater Counseling, PC urges anyone who notices strange behavior to report it to authorities immediately. We will only end human sex trafficking if we work together.

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

If you or someone you know has been directly affected by human trafficking or is struggling with discussing difficult issues like this, please reach out to us. No one should face this challenge alone.

To schedule an appointment with us, call 308-210-8487 or email us at info@clearwatercounselingne.org.