Human trafficking is often hidden in plain sight. It’s a sad reality affecting an estimated 27.6 million victims worldwide.

June 30 was World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Brandi Bynum is a unit chief for Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking.

“It is absolutely happening here, as I mentioned, it’s happening in our communities,” Bynum said. “It’s not just the overseas problem, and it’s not just happening to our foreign counterparts. It is happening to US citizens right here at home.”

Bynum says one of the myths that need to be debunked is that it’s only a problem for women and girls. That is not the case. It happens to men and boys as well.

There are more resources online at DHS.gov/Blue-Campaign.