Convenience stores to join with state patrol in fight against human trafficking

Posted at 4:45 p.m. on January 21, 2020

The Brillion News

COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. - Attorney General Josh Kaul, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced that the state agencies will be working with the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association (WPMCA) to increase understanding within the convenience store industry about human trafficking.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

“By identifying suspicious activity and reporting it to law enforcement, convenience store and gas station employees can help law enforcement fight human trafficking,” Kaul said. “This partnership will help more people know the signs of human trafficking and what to do when they see those signs.”

“Human trafficking is a growing challenge across the nation including here in Wisconsin,” State Patrol Superintendent Tony Burrell (photo at right) said. “All Wisconsin State Patrol officers have received training related to human trafficking. We’re working closely with the state Department of Justice, our partner law enforcement agencies and private-sector groups to raise awareness and provide the necessary training to help combat this serious issue.”

“It is also critical to recognize that youth of color, LGBTQ youth, and youth involved in the child welfare system are more vulnerable to trafficking,” said DCF Secretary-designee Emilie Amundson.

The state agencies will provide WPMCA and its members with training and materials to raise awareness about human trafficking and what convenience store managers and employees can do if trafficking is suspected.

Partners will be available at WPMCA’s annual conference and DCF will distribute materials at the WPMCA trade show. Seminars on recognizing and reporting human trafficking will also be held in four regions of Wisconsin with store owners and employees. Information will include specific human trafficking indicators that could be seen in convenience store and gas station settings and how to report actionable leads to law enforcement.

WPMCA will also provide its membership with electronic updates and information throughout 2020 to increase the industry’s overall understanding of human trafficking.

The partnership is being managed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.