Sex trafficking is big business and it's become a big problem in Kansas. Every day, women and children are held captive -- usually through coercion -- and forced into prostitution. It happens at truck stops, motels and dozens of other places.
While this illegal business is often called human trafficking, it's actually a form of human slavery, where for many, the only escape is death.
Prosecuting those who profit from this trade is a top priority for Barry Grissom, the U.S. Attorney for Kansas. KPR's J. Schafer recently spoke to him about the extent of the problem in Kansas.