Human trafficking doesn’t always happen in dark alleys or behind locked doors. Increasingly, it happens quietly -- through screens, messages, and manipulation -- in places people never think of looking.

In Episode 2 of Upfront Gwinnett: Trapped and Trafficked, viewers meet the Gwinnett Police Department’s VICE Unit. They’re the team working behind the scenes to identify victims, investigate cases, and bring traffickers into custody.

This episode does not sensationalize the work. It humanizes it.

The Work Most People Never See

VICE investigations are layered, complex, and emotionally demanding. Officers are often navigating fast-moving situations where safety, trust, and time are critical. Survivors may be fearful, guarded, or unsure who to believe — especially after experiencing exploitation that’s been normalized or hidden for years.

Episode 2 highlights the reality that this work is not just about enforcement. It’s about recognizing vulnerability, protecting victims, and coordinating efforts to disrupt trafficking activity in our community.

Trafficking Has Evolved

A key theme in this episode: trafficking has changed.

Predators often target those they perceive as vulnerable — and they adapt quickly to the world around them. That’s why awareness matters. The more our community understands how exploitation can begin and how it can be overlooked, the better equipped we are to recognize warning signs and support prevention efforts.

Why This Episode Matters

Episode 1 introduced survivors trafficked in plain sight, and the dangerous mindset that minimizes harm: “It’s not that bad.”

Episode 2 pushes the conversation forward by spotlighting the people doing the difficult, often unseen work to stop trafficking and protect others from becoming the next victim.

Watch Episode 2: “The Ones You Don’t See”