1/25 UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, this event has been postponed to Thursday, January 26th.

ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties will host a forum next week on the issue of human trafficking.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month; the agency wants the community to be aware of the signs of human trafficking in the local community. 

Human trafficking is a "crime involving the exploitation of someone for the purposes of compelled labor or a commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion," according to Catholic Charities.

Some people may be more vulnerable than others to becoming the target of human trafficking, including children and teens - sometimes targeted and coerced through social media. 

Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties will host a free-in person forum on January 25th at 6PM, at the Arnot Event Center. The event features expertise shared by Andy Stowers Forest & Melanie Puorto Conte from HEAL Trafficking Speakers' Bureau. A panel of local experts will also host a Q&A session. A light meal is included with registration.

To register, fill out the form online, or call 607-535-2050. The event is free to attend for adults and teens.