The issue of human trafficking is quite prevalent and deeply impacts the state of New York, and often these victims don’t even realize they’re being trafficked.

Organized by Warren County agencies and partners, the four-person panel educated attendees about the issue. They focused on showing how to spot the signs of human trafficking, and talked about preventative measures that can be taken someone is in trouble.

The panelists stressed that it’s important to understand the definition and different forms of human trafficking.

"So, you know, moving a group of people from one country to the next is not necessarily human trafficking. That's human smuggling. So, there is a difference between human smuggling and human trafficking. Human trafficking is the exploitation of a human being for profit, for gain, for financial gain," said Jason McLaughlin, executive director of the WAIT House of Glens Falls.

McLaughlin said this exploitation can be in the form of force, coercion or fraud. Often, the victims are kids who were promised or given material items such as clothes, food, shelter, and cell phones in return for power and control over them.

According to the FBI, many times children as young as 11 are being trafficked by their own family members or by known associates, so it’s crucial to spot the signs early.

"You are seeing someone that works where they also live. If you are seeing someone who is never not without the person that they might be working for, there is drug use can sometimes be a sign there is, you know, any influx of income for them or some fancy things that, you know, otherwise don't really add up to how they might have acquired those, because that's a that's a huge part of the control for the victims and survivors is they don't often feel like a victim because in many instances they're being taken care of," said Sarah Ruane, public affairs specialist, FBI.

If you are in imminent danger, please call 911.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a 24/7 confidential line you can call for resources. The number is (888) 373-7888, and the website is humantraffickinghotline.org.

For help in New York, you can also go to Wait House. The number is (518) 798-4384 and their website is hycwaithouse.org.