Cumberland County has reported some of the highest numbers of human trafficking cases in the state, a problem officials attribute to its location along Interstate 95 and the presence of nearby Fort Bragg, which brings a large, transient population to the area.
"Cumberland County is a hotbed for human trafficking, and there's a number of reasons for that," said John Webster, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center.
Webster said traffickers have become increasingly sophisticated in how they target victims, often using social media and online gaming platforms to gain access to children and teens.
"For parents who have teens who are really active on social media or online gaming platforms, traffickers tend to find their way to these platforms," Webster said. "They connect with teens and children pretending to be another teen or child and make inroads with them."
Local leaders say trafficking often goes unnoticed because of misconceptions about victims and how they become trapped. Cumberland County Judge Toni King said many people wrongly assume trafficking is voluntary.
"Most of the time, people think that human trafficking victims are in it because it's voluntary and that they can get out whenever they want, and that is really not the case," King said. "There's a lot of coercion, a lot of force and many different elements that keep people from leaving."
In response, Cumberland County launched WORTH, which stands for We Overcome Recidivism Through Healing, in 2019. The court-led program focuses on helping survivors escape trafficking and rebuild their lives through treatment and long-term support.
Participants in the program undergo a comprehensive clinical assessment conducted by licensed therapists to develop individualized mental health treatment plans, Judge King said.
"Many of these individuals have gone through emotional and physical abuse, or both," Judge King said. "We try to address that first."
Since its launch, WORTH has served more than 100 survivors of human trafficking, ranging in age from 14 to 57. Judge King said the program has helped participants overcome addiction, leave dangerous situations and move toward stable, productive lives.
"We've seen individuals come in thinking they couldn't escape and go on to graduate successfully," Judge King said.
Judge King and Webster are encouraging the public to learn more about human trafficking and how to recognize warning signs. A series of public awareness events is scheduled throughout the month, with details available on local organization websites.
Click here to learn more about the upcoming events
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