Human trafficking is an international problem that Utahns cannot escape, according to Orem dentist Bruce Howell.

Howell, a pediatric dentist, visited Washington, D.C., last week to meet with members of Congress about human trafficking, a problem of which he said some Utahns may be unaware.

"I thought it was an area that needed attention," he said. "Being from Utah, I was unaware that it even existed."

Howell said he learned about the problem when he was at a meeting in Florida, but he still did not know the depth of the situation worldwide. In Washington, D.C., he said, he was able to learn more about the worldwide plague.

"I got some hints of it (during the Florida trip) and I wanted to pursue it more," Howell said. "I went to Washington, D.C., and got my eyes opened."

Howell said the trafficking industry rakes in approximately $30 billion per year. The U.S. State Department has a 236-page book full of information about the kidnapping and exploitation of children.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, between 600,000 and 800,000 men and women are trafficked internationally every year. The victims are trafficked into forced labor and the sex trade, often tricked into believing they are being taken to better jobs.

Howell said the main victims of human trafficking are underprivileged children and young women, and the crime causes dangerous problems in the United States and abroad.

"It's a source of pornography," he said. "It's a source of potential disease."

During the trip, Howell talked to various government officials, as well as representatives from Morocco, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and Liechtenstein. He also attempted to talk with U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, but scheduling conflicts prevented the meeting.

Howell said he plans to try and talk with Cannon and U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, about the problem he says has crept into Utah.

In his own practice, Howell said he has spoken to Hispanic parents of his patients, and they are well aware of the problem. They knew it exists, and they knew trafficking happens in Utah County, but they were afraid to say any more.

"That was where the conversation ended," he said.

Deputy Peter Quittner of the Utah County Sheriff's Office said he cannot think of an instance of human trafficking in the valley. It may exist, but it is rare for the sheriff's office to come across it.

"It's not a daily problem we handle, or even a weekly problem we handle," he said.

Howell said he hopes to talk to law enforcement agencies around the state to increase awareness of the situation and help fight the problem in his home state.

"Watch for it," he said. "These are kids, teenagers who appear to be from another country, are unable to speak any English."

Howell said the children are different from immigrants because most children of immigrants are able to speak some English. Children who have been kidnapped from another country will also act frightened of those around them.

Utah residents can help fight human trafficking by simply being aware of the problem and watching out for abnormal situations, he said.

"As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday, I had no idea how much I really am grateful for until I heard the stories of some of the victims of trafficking," Howell said in a news release.