As the Super Bowl fast approaches, so does the largest human trafficking event of the year—and Philadelphia is taking action.

This month is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, according to a presidential proclamation issued on Dec. 31. SEPTA has partnered with city agencies and non-profits to raise awareness about modern-day slavery in communities across the city.

"Human trafficking is the second largest industry in the world," Hugh Organ, president of the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition told press at 69th Street Station on Jan. 28. "Most people don't even know what human trafficking looks like."

Organ added that it's difficult to know just how many are involved in human trafficking in Philadelphia, estimating that 20,000 are trafficked into the country each year, not including United States citizens.  

SEPTA Chief of police Tom Nestel pointed out that places that attract crowds, like transit stations or malls, also attract runaways and predators. 

"Law enforcement has focused on the prostitute," Nestel explained. "But recently the entire law enforcement community has changed the way we look at this problem."

Rather than viewing prostitutes and sex workers as criminals, government agencies and lawmakers are beginning to see them as victims who are in need of assistance.

Last week, the Pennsylvania House passed a law that more clearly defines human sex trafficking to allow prosecutors to charge perpetrators for the specific crimes that they committed. To involve the public in identifying victims and pinpointing sex traffickers, SEPTA will post the National Human Trafficking Hotline number throughout stations.

Signs that an individual is a victim of trafficking includes no identification or travel documents, fear of employers, signs of physical and mental abuse and little eye contact. Officials encouraged citizens to stay aware of their surroundings and report any suspicions through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.