South Carolina experts highlight key warning signs of human trafficking and interpersonal violence to help spot victims early, especially in the Lowcountry like Charleston County. Children and teens comprise 72% of reported victims per recent state data, often showing subtle behavioral shifts.
Human Trafficking Indicators
Common red flags include sudden changes in mood or habits, per SC Human Trafficking Task Force director Monique Garvin:
- Withdrawal, depression, or substance use.
- Isolation from friends/family, yet unexplained wealth or gifts.
- Runaways, truancy, dropping grades, or frequent travel.
- Living at work, extreme hours, chronic fatigue, or untreated STIs/bruises.
These affect all ages but hit youth hardest statewide.
Interpersonal Violence Signs
Retired officer Brian Bennett of Clearview Justice Training notes strangulation risks, common in trafficking cases but underrecognized in SC:
- Hoarse voice, trouble swallowing/breathing (bruises visible only ~50% of time).
- Memory loss or eye vessel rupture.
SC lacks a specific strangulation statute—unlike all other states—hindering data tracking and prosecutions.
How to Help
Approach case-by-case: Assess immediate danger, involve law enforcement if needed, or empower with health risks info. Call 911 for emergencies; National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “INFO” to 233733 otherwise.
Lowcountry Resources (tailored to your Mount Pleasant/North Charleston area):
- SC Human Trafficking Task Force.
- Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force.
- The Formation Project, Hopeful Horizons, Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center.
- Doors to Freedom, Dorchester Children’s Advocacy Center, Legal Assistance to Survivors of Trafficking.
With recent quakes and this race in SC-1, staying vigilant fits local news focus—any community events tying into awareness?
