When you think about crime in Michigan, human trafficking may not leap to mind. But three high-ranking officers in the state Attorney General's office say it probably should.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Carol Isaacs was among those who participated in a discussion on human trafficking at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center Tuesday.
She says human trafficking - both sexual and labor trafficking - is prevalent in Michigan.
"We think it is under-reported," Isaacs said. "Mis-labeled, un-reported and hidden in plain sight."
Also participating in Tuesday's discussion were Assistant Attorney General Kelly Carter and John Lazet, Director of Crime Victim Advocacy for the A-G's office.
State legislators are working on a series of bills designed to update state laws on human trafficking.
The panel discussion was co-sponsored by the EMU Women's Resource Center, Student Leader Group and Office of the President as part of Women's History Month.
Find the Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking's 2013 report here:
2013 Human Trafficking Annual Report
— Bob Eccles is the Ypsilanti beat reporter, and host of All Things Considered for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him reccles@emich.edu