RICHMOND — The number of identified human trafficking cases last year in Virginia was its highest since 2018, although officials believe this could be attributed to better identification and reporting channels.

Two hundred and twenty-eight cases of human trafficking were identified in the state in 2024, according to data released by the National Human Trafficking Hotline. That number was 199 in 2018.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline received 661 signals, or tips, for the state last year. Human trafficking victims submitted 112. That is a nearly 29% jump from the prior year, which saw 513 tips.

Dr. Fidelma Rigby, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at VCU Health, hopes the higher number of identified human trafficking cases is due to an increase in community

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