Central Pa. organizations raise awareness for human trafficking

The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg marked Red Sand Day by filling cracks in sidewalks with red sand to raise awareness about human trafficking. The event symbolizes people who fall through the cracks and become victims of trafficking. Dolphin, Berks, Franklin, Lancaster, York, and Cumberland counties are all in the top 10 in the state for human trafficking offenses. That's according to the most recent PA courts data from 2020 to 2024. Mary Quinn is the president and CEO of the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg. She says vulnerable populations, including racial minorities, people with disabilities, and immigrants are at greater risk of being trafficked. And perpetrators are usually someone the victim knows. They're not kidnapped off the street. It's nothing dramatic. It is those at-risk population who already have risk factors. Maybe they're runaways. Maybe they come from homes where domestic violence was prevalent or drug abuse was prevalent. She says the mid-state sees more trafficking because of its location near major highways and large cities. Pennsylvania is ranked ninth nationally for total reported cases of human trafficking. In Harrisburg, I'm Katie Knoll. WITF News.