PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and the state Division of Criminal Investigation are hosting a human trafficking training conference this week in Pierre.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says human trafficking happens in South Dakota, and the training is the first of its kind hosted by the Attorney General’s Office and DCI. He says the key issue being stressed at this training is collaboration to address this serious crime.

Mary Beth Holzwarth, the Human Trafficking Coordinator for the State Division of Criminal Investigation, coordinated the conference and brought in Foundation United National Training Cadre to deliver the content. Topics include discussion on human trafficking trends, risk factors that lead to human trafficking, various forms of human trafficking and how to navigate the Dark Web and conduct operations. Speakers include a survivor of human trafficking.

Human trafficking damages individuals, families and communities, says Jackley. He says more than 65 participants from law enforcement, local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and state government agencies are attending the sessions being held at the Mickelson Law Enforcement Training Center.