Survivors shine light on hidden human trafficking crisis on LI
Hollie Nadel, a trafficking survivor, said she was trafficked across 11 states and forced into both labor and sex trafficking.
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Human trafficking survivors on Long Island say the coercion, threats and exploitation that force victims into criminal activity often go unnoticed, underscoring the need for stronger prevention efforts that extend beyond hotel compliance laws.
Hollie Nadel, a trafficking survivor, said she was trafficked across 11 states and forced into both labor and sex trafficking.
“I was forced to clean their homes. When that wasn’t enough, they said, ‘Sex sells.’ I was forced to see men,” Nadel said. “They exploited my whole financial profile, putting houses, cars, you name it, in my name.”
The renewed focus on trafficking comes on the heels of a yearlong Turn to Tara investigation that found 80% of hotels failed to comply with New York’s hotel signage law, which requires information about trafficking resources to be posted.
Lawmakers and advocates say the issue extends far beyond hotel enforcement.
“This is very real, and it’s happening right here on Long Island every single day,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-Glen Cove.
For survivors like Sheena Dume, trafficking began long before she entered adulthood.
“I was in high school. I was in 11th grade. I was 17 years old,” Dume said. “I was actually groomed by one of my classmates under the guise of thinking I would become a model.”
Advocates say education is one of the most effective tools in preventing trafficking, including teaching people how to recognize warning signs and helping potential victims access resources.
In Huntington, public awareness campaigns include multilingual posters displayed in public bathrooms. The posters feature a hand signal associated with seeking help and provide phone numbers for individuals in crisis.
“They show hand symbols, they are in multiple languages, and they also give phone numbers where people can call for help,” said Huntington Town Councilwoman Theresa Mari.
Town officials say prevention efforts also include collaboration with law enforcement to combat illegal massage parlors and target larger operations that may be linked to trafficking.
Advocates and survivors hope increased awareness, education and enforcement will help identify victims sooner and prevent traffickers from operating in Long Island communities.
