Life Crisis Center provides tips to scope out human trafficking operations

Human trafficking is frequently a crime that makes headlines, but rarely one that people realize is going on in our neighborhoods or communities. 

In reality, they happen right under our noses everyday. 

An arrest this just past weekend in Ocean City proved that, as over a dozen were put in handcuffs for human trafficking. 

Human trafficking is known as the modern day slavery. 

47 ABC spoke to Kristen Schultz, from the Wicomico County State Attorney's Office, who isn't new to solving human trafficking cases. 

She was part of the case at America's Best Value Inn a few years back in Salisbury. 

Schultz says, "We get a lot of hotel chains people see a lot of traffic coming in and out of certain rooms. They're like sales almost, they don't work alone. There's one 'John', there's almost always multiple. Often times, they often share girls up the shore down the shore. I'm done with her,  you take her, I'll switch with you."

Life Crisis Center says these victims become dependent on their abusers.

Signs to look out for in cases like this may be bruising, cigarette burns, or even an influx of traffic at hotels. 

It's a cycle that is hard to break, but if they happen to stop it, it can save a life. 

Life Crisis Center's Executive Director, Abby Marsh says, "It's domestic violence and sexual assault and you're like a prisoner so you bond frequently with the abuser. Once you are no longer in that situation, you are still completely traumatized by the event. It may take years to get over the situations, sometimes never."

The Life Crisis Center says they provide counseling for these type of cases at no charge. 

They even have a safe house.

Also, you can call their hotline or 2-1-1. 

From there, you will reach their crisis specialist to get the help that you need.