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DA Discusses Human Trafficking
Published On: Aug 24 2011 01:53:36 PM EDT Updated On: Aug 03 2010 10:26:40 AM EDTInvestigators say sharp-eyed citizens are coming through.
They say last week's raid of an Internet-based prostitution ring and eight other raids on Asian-run massage parlors in Berks County happened because of tips.
Some of those tips have come from a group concerned about human trafficking.
And Monday night, that group met again to tell people about what to look for if they think women are being enslaved.
It's important to emphasize that law enforcement officers said, while the raids successfully shut down the prostitution rings at this point, they have not identified a victim of human trafficking.
Law enforcement and prosecutors from Berks County and the federal government explained human trafficking.
They were invited by the founder of FREE, Freedom and Restoration for Everyone Enslaved.
"We're looking to add more people to take action basically we want everyone to come to leave here raising awareness," said Bob Morrison, founder of FREE.
Morrison said his group has been holding these meetings since November and that awareness has produced results with multiple raids in Berks County shutting down prostitution rings.
"It hasn't reached a point yet where we've had enough evidence to show that it was human trafficking, but that doesn't mean hey let's quit," said Chief Michael Gombar.
They explained it's difficult to gather evidence and to get a victim to come forward. But the audience learned what to look for.
"We try to comfort them to make them feel comfortable in our presence to give them every opportunity to talk with us and all it takes is for one person to say yes I am and we can react to that," said Lt. Leon Domsic. "At this time, we have not come forward with anybody that has said yes, I'm here against my will."
"Maybe we're never going to get one," said Gombar. "You know what, maybe we're doing our job maybe we've stopped it early on before it did get here.
Prosecutors said every time the publicize these stories more tips are generated.
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