SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA – Human trafficking is not just a big-city problem—it’s happening in communities across Southwest Virginia, where law enforcement and advocates say the demand for resources to combat trafficking and support survivors is outpacing availability.
Trafficking Arrests and Investigations in the Region
Next week, a Florida man is set to appear before a judge in Radford on charges of allegedly sex trafficking a woman in the New River Valley. Frank Smith was arrested in October following an undercover investigation.
Earlier this month, six men were arrested in Campbell County as part of a separate sex trafficking investigation. The suspects, all local to Central and Southwest Virginia, range in age from 27 to 56.
Despite growing awareness, law enforcement officials say trafficking remains difficult to track and report.
A Safe Haven for Survivors in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a safe haven provides support for human trafficking survivors in Virginia.
Rebecca Bruno, Executive Director of The Lampstand, a nonprofit that operates a safe home for girls ages 12 to 17 who have been sexually exploited or trafficked, says the need for resources is overwhelming.
“It’s happening everywhere. It’s not what you think in the movies. It’s not Taken, you know. It’s happening in our backyards,” Bruno said.
Bruno recalled a case where a girl was on the waitlist for six months, waiting to turn 12 before she could receive help. “Which is just truly horrific,” she said.
Although many people don’t expect that human trafficking could be occurring in their own neighborhoods, Bruno urges people to trust their instincts. “Most people have that inner, inner gut feeling when they think something’s wrong—trust that, trust that feeling. If it looks off, it is off. And you just have to be willing to report that,” she said.
According to the latest data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 527 tips were reported in Virginia in 2023. Of those, 157 cases were identified, involving 264 victims—39 of them were minors.
Caren Sterling, Deputy Director with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, said human trafficking is often under-reported and difficult to detect.
“Trafficking certainly does not stay in one state,” said Sterling. “Traffickers can be family members. Traffickers can be a high school friend; they can be teachers. Really, the problem is that victims have this broad appearance, but so do the traffickers.”
The Lampstand Safehome is the only facility of its kind in Virginia. With only eight rooms, it is struggling to meet the growing demand. “In the last year, we’ve had about 70 different referrals throughout the state,” Bruno said. “We need more beds, and we need more hands to be able to serve them.”
For more information about The Lampstand, visit their website: The Lampstand.
Community Involvement and Prevention Efforts
Sterling says combatting trafficking requires a collective effort. “It really has to involve the community for it to work,” she said.
Bruno and Sterling emphasize that education is key. “Unfortunately, the average age of a trafficking victim in the United States right now is 12. So that’s why we focus so much on prevention education and getting into our area high schools and middle schools, because 12 is middle school,” Bruno said.
Sterling noted the importance of changing perceptions about trafficking victims. “We need to probably get away from looking at prostitution as prostitution. Because there’s very little true prostitution in this day and age,” she said. “It’s very easy to control another person. It’s just a matter of what that person needs and what you’re willing to provide.”
This month, Virginia State Police launched a new awareness campaign called ‘Operation Silence Shattered’ targeting college campuses across the Commonwealth. The goal is to educate students, faculty, and campus police on how to recognize and respond to human trafficking.
Warning Signs
Here are several warning signs of human trafficking to look out for, according to information from VSP, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline:
Physical and Behavioral Signs
- Fearful or Submissive Behavior: Victims may seem fearful, anxious, or overly submissive. They may avoid eye contact and seem hesitant to speak freely.
- Physical Injuries or Branding: Trafficked individuals often have signs of physical abuse such as bruises, cuts, or other injuries. Some victims may also have tattoos that indicate ownership, such as a name or symbol.
- Inappropriate Clothing: Wearing clothes that are sexually suggestive or inappropriate for the weather, indicating they may be under the control of traffickers.
Situational Indicators
- Isolation from Friends or Family: Victims are often isolated from their support networks and may not be allowed to interact freely with others.
- Inability to Leave: Trafficked individuals may be physically confined, unable to leave their workplace or home without permission from their captors.
- Unusual Work Conditions: Working under harsh conditions, such as extremely long hours or tasks that seem inappropriate for their age or skill level, is common among trafficking victims.
Behavioral Red Flags:
- Unfamiliarity with Location: Victims may not know where they are, or they may give inconsistent or scripted responses when asked about their location.
- Being Controlled by Another: A person who seems to be under the control of someone else, or is constantly deferential to another individual, is a common sign of trafficking.
How to Report Suspected Human Trafficking
If you suspect human trafficking, here’s how to report it:
- Call 911 or dial #77 to reach Virginia State Police.
- Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
- Chat via the National Human Trafficking Hotline at humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.
- Report concerns to the Virginia State Police anonymous tip line by texting “VSP” followed by the tip to 847411 or submit a tip online here.
- Report suspected trafficking of a minor by calling the Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline at 800-552-7096.
- Report suspected trafficking of adults 60 years of age or older and incapacitated adults age 18 or older by calling the Virginia Adult Protective Services (APS) Hotline at 1-888-832-3858.
Support for Survivors:
- The Virginia Victim Assistance Network (VVAN) operates a human trafficking infoline to provide resources to victims and survivors. Call or text 833-463-6448 or chat with an advocate online here.
- The National Human Trafficking Hotline provides support to victims and survivors 24/7. Call 888-373-7888, text 233733, or chat with an advocate online here.
For a full list of Virginia-specific resources, visit: Virginia Human Trafficking Resource or learn more at Human Trafficking Response Virginia.