Caroline County declares January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Month; local advocacy group highlights hotlines

Caroline County commissioners declared January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and received a presentation from All Seasons Inc., a local behavioral health and crisis services provider that also operates a human trafficking prevention program.

All Seasons marketing and outreach coordinator Josie Wenzel and victim advocate Michelle Hudson described the nonprofit’s services, including victim support, therapy, psychiatry and community education offered statewide by telehealth and locally through multiple offices. Wenzel identified Susan Ahlstrom as All Seasons’ regional navigator for the human trafficking prevention program and directed interested residents to forallseasonsyouth.org for more information.

Hudson, introduced as a victim advocate, told commissioners human trafficking affects people “everywhere” and described trafficking as exploitation for labor or commercial sex through force, fraud or coercion; she emphasized that anyone under 18 involved in commercial sex is a victim regardless of apparent consent and urged the public to report suspected cases.

The county read a proclamation that cited national and Maryland data and described human trafficking as a growing criminal industry that causes moral and economic harm and that awareness and education help bring victims support.

Hotline information provided by All Seasons - English hotline: 410‑820‑5600 - Spanish hotline: 410‑829‑6143

Ending note Commissioners presented the proclamation and took a photo with the All Seasons representatives. No formal policy action was recorded; the proclamation is a public awareness measure.