On Tuesday, October 7, NATIVE, Inc. in Bismarck will host a first-of-its-kind community awareness training on human trafficking. The session will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. at their Development Center (2403 E. Thayer Avenue).
This event aims to give residents practical tools to recognize warning signs, understand how trafficking operates locally, and know how to take action.

Human trafficking isn’t a distant problem — it’s happening in towns and cities across North Dakota. The North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force (NDHTTF) notes that in just one quarter, they served 20 new suspected victims (18 in sex trafficking, 1 in labor trafficking, and 1 in both) across the state.

At the state level, the 69th Legislative Assembly has authorized education grants for trafficking prevention — requiring training in public and tribal schools, and building curricula to help students and community members recognize exploitation.

Further, new legislation updating North Dakota’s human trafficking commission mandates that regulated professions, lodging businesses, and local institutions participate in awareness training and post safety signage.

In 2024, Bismarck already hosted a statewide law enforcement training at the Heritage Center to sharpen skills in identifying and investigating trafficking cases.

So this upcoming community session connects to a broader push in Bismarck and across the state: build awareness at all levels — from public officials and law enforcement down to everyday citizens.

“When I got out … law enforcement had not had the skills to do their job, and I didn’t have the resources to get out… now, we see people doing it better because they now have information.” — Meghan Connors, survivor and trainer, recalling her journey and how awareness can change responses.

NATIVE, Inc. staff told local outlets they'll provide a safe, inclusive space to learn about victim signs, reporting tools, and community roles.

Bismarck residents can attend without cost, allowing neighbors, faith groups, frontline workers, and concerned citizens to gain insight into trafficking prevention.

Collaborations between nonprofits like 31:8 Project — which hosts the annual Bakken Human Trafficking Summit in Bismarck — and state bodies amplify reach and resources.