Attorney General Wilson to Participate in South Carolina Human Trafficking Awareness Event

(COLUMBIA, S.C. – January 11, 2013) South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson will speak at the annual South Carolina Human Trafficking Awareness & Slavery Prevention observance.  It is part of National Human Trafficking Awareness & Slavery Prevention Month.

The event will be held in the first floor lobby of the Statehouse in Columbia at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.  In addition to Attorney General Alan Wilson, Solicitor Duffie Stone, State Senator Brad Hutto and State Representative Nelson Hardwick will also speak.  Lieutenant Governor Glenn McConnell will begin the observance by reading the Governor’s Proclamation.  It will conclude with a ringing of bells from 12:00 to 12:05 p.m.

The General Assembly passed legislation in 2012 strengthening existing human trafficking laws in South Carolina and establishing a Human Trafficking Task Force, chaired by Attorney General Wilson.  The task force is currently formulating a blueprint for combatting the problem within the Palmetto State.

“The victims of this insidious crime are often hidden in plain view,” Wilson said.  “They could be the person sitting next to you in class, your neighbor’s child or someone you work with.  It is time South Carolinians become aware of this scourge and join efforts to end it.”

The event is open to the public and news media.