ISP trooper discusses human trafficking, online dangers

Watch a portion of the presentation here:

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – A local member of the Indiana State Police is hoping to inform parents about the dangers that exist online. 

Kimberly Hill is with the ISP’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and is often working to educate truckers about human trafficking. 

Hill says both sex trafficking and labor trafficking exists right here in the Midwest. She added that Indiana ranks 23rd highest in the country for reports received by the National Human Trafficking Hotline. 

“It’s extremely important to educate others as 40 percent of cases that get reported have resulted in a victim being rescued,” Hill said. 

While some may assume that most victims come from other countries, Hill says 83 percent of sex trafficking victims are from the United States. 

That is one reason why she held a presentation at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Batesville on Monday night.

The goal was to educate families in order to protect their children. 

She highlighted apps that pose a threat and two of them might come as a surprise. 

Roblox is a virtual world app for 5-12 year old's. However, there is a chat feature on the app that opens up the possibility of predators contacting a child.

Another app, called Calculator%, appears to look like a normal calculator on your phone, however it is a messaging app to hide photos and videos. 

You can see a complete list of apps that she discussed below.

Protecting Your Children:

Hill offered advice to parents that includes monitoring your child's activity, understanding what apps they are on, talk about online safety and teach them to never give out personal information. 

“Have conversations with them about not sharing personal information online, because you never know if someone is asking them what is their address or what school they go to,” Hill said. 

You are urged to call 9-1-1 if you suspect human trafficking. Hill added that is you suspect trafficking but it turns out to be false, there is nothing wrong with that and you won't face punishment.

RELATED: Hill spoke with The 812 to raise trucker awareness about trafficking last year. Watch that video by clicking here.

Here are a few slides from the presentation: