Understanding Human Sex Trafficking and How the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office is Combating It

CAMPBELL COUNTY, VA - The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Altavista Police Department to combat sex trafficking and the solicitation of prostitution by forming a task force named Operation Joint Forces.

Operation Joint Forces was designed to curb the demand for commercial sex in Altavista and Campbell County with the goal to reduce the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women and men as well as to hold accountable those who choose to engage in sex trafficking and prostitution. It is important to us that our community understands the importance of our efforts to combat sex trafficking and prostitution in our county. 

“Sex trafficking can only flourish where there’s a demand for commercial sex” Sheriff Whit Clark said. “Reducing this demand is just one part of attacking sex trafficking in our communities.”

Altavista Police Chief Tommy Merricks said, “I concur with Sheriff Clark that turning people’s bodies into commodities isn’t right under any circumstances, and we want to make sure it’s deterred in the town of Altavista. We value our partnership with the Sheriff’s Office.”

Sex trafficking and prostitution affects vulnerable men and women as often they are either forced or coerced to engage in commercial sex. 

Sex traffickers’ prey on people with little or no social safety net. They seek people who are vulnerable for a variety of reasons including economic hardship, violence in the home, and low self-esteem.

Often sex traffickers’ use a variety of strategies to trap victims including violence or threats of violence as well as psychological coercion.

Other concerns include illegal substance abuse, the spread of venereal diseases, and unplanned pregnancies; these concerns affect the victim, their families and the quality of life throughout the county.

Indicators that someone may be the victim of sex trafficking are:

• Has the person been threatened with harm?
• Does the persons lack personal possessions and appear to have an unstable living situation?
• Has the person been deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care or other life necessities?
• Does the person know who they are meeting when they leave as well as do they know their destination?
• Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?

We need YOUR help to protect our community!

If you have information regarding sex trafficking, please contact us at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office through our dispatch center at (434) 332-9574. 

Anonymous tips can be given to Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900 and online at https://p3tips.com.