Prayers for human trafficking

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Human trafficking is a growing concern in the United States and with the 2012 Super Bowl just around the corner, one local group is afraid of what the sporting event will bring with it.

The Sisters of Providence at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods prayed in protest Wednesday against human trafficking.

The sisters and ten other catholic communities held a prayer service in that effort.

The sisters are working with state and local officials to reduce the amount of trafficking that tends to increase with sporting events such as the Super Bowl.

Sister Denise Wilkinson, Sister of Providence says, "I think it’s so hard to believe this kind of evil exists anywhere near us. So raising awareness and then to point out appropriate steps, possible steps that the ordinary person like ourselves can take to end it."

Sister Wilkinson says they've reached out to hotels and restaurants in Indianapolis to sign codes of conduct to educate staff and guests about signs of human trafficking.

Sister Wilkinson also mentioned that a common misconception is that human trafficking is linked to third world countries but in 2011 83 percent of reported cases were U.S. citizens.