It’s a topic that’s rarely discussed, but yet it’s picking up steam in the United States, and it happens right here in St. Louis.

Sex Trafficking: being forced or coerced into the commercial sex trade against your will.

It’s a dangerous; dirty world that victim Cathy Summers knows all to well, being exposed to the crime as a child.

Sex trafficking is happening at much larger rates than most people realize or understand.

In March, the anti-trafficking group Exchange Initiative will host an event called Ignite: Sparking Action Against Sex Trafficking and she says it will bring together professionals from law enforcement, medicine, education, faith-based and community groups to help better understand the problem and coordinate action.

The conference will take place from March 2 through March 4 in St. Louis at St. Louis Union Station in the Double Tree Hilton Hotel.

For more information go to: ExchangeInitiative.com

KPLR-TV 11 ©February 2014