Human trafficking is a big and real problem in Pittsburgh and the FBI needs the public's help to stop it.
Over the last few months, Krystal Novak grew passionate about ending human trafficking, creating the Pennsylvania Chapter for "Be The Light" and hosting Wednesday's event.
Novak and dozens of social workers, advocates and volunteers gathered to hear from the FBI about the evolving issue.
Special Agent Denise Holtz gave Channel 11 an inside look at how the FBI is fighting the issue.
"These are real victims, real juveniles. It's really in Pittsburgh and they need help and for society to step up and do something about it," Holtz said.
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Holtz said they run into plenty of roadblocks, whether it be getting victims to accept help, or even helping them realize they are victims.
Agents are also seeing a spike in human trafficking cases involving heroin.
"People are afraid to hear about it because people don't want to think it's in their communities. I think why we're hearing more about it is we've educated people that it is here and what it looks like," Holtz said.
They're lessons everyone who works with potential victims are working to learn. And they're lessons Novak believes could help bring an end to human trafficking.
"It's an amazing opportunity to work hand in hand with agencies that feel the same way we do about making this crime stop," Novak said.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you can visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline Website or call at 1-888-373-7888.
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