Advocates say education is the key to combatting child trafficking

WESTCHESTER, N.Y. (PIX11) -- January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Bob Unanue, the CEO of Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, has launched a massive educational campaign in schools to help fight a hidden epidemic in our area, child trafficking.

PIX11 News is partnering with Goya to tell the stories in our community to help.  

Maria Trusa says losing the light in your eyes is the first sign of a child being trafficked. She personally knows that tremendous pain. At the age of 9, Trusa experienced the unthinkable.

Now, her life’s purpose is to share her story. Trusa is now the founder and CEO of a non-profit called I Say No More and is joining forces with the CEO of Goya Foods Bob Unanue in a national push to fight this growing problem. 

Still battling the horrible memories of her childhood, now at the age of 60, Trusa finds peace in advocating for survivors and focusing on prevention. Experts say human trafficking is using physical force or coercion to exploit victims sexually or through labor.  

Traffickers prey on the vulnerable many are children. The warning signs of a child being trafficked include: isolation, lack of eye contact, branding tattoos on their neck or arms, depression, anxiety, and bed wetting. 

Unanue says education is key, to combat it. He has assembled his own coalition of community partners. The nationwide program is called Goya Cares. It’s already impacted millions of Americans.

Organizers say no children came forward after a Jersey City assembly. Unanue hopes to have these programs in every school across the country.