Winston-Salem - Human trafficking is happening locally.

Officials say women, men, children and families are being forced to perform sex acts and work for little or no pay.

"There are stories like that happening all the time in North Carolina and people don't even realize it," said Mark Kadel of Christian relief organization World Relief.

The men were forced to live in a chicken house and work for little pay.

Kadel said human trafficking, which he said is a form of modern-day slavery, doesn't discriminate among race, religion or sex. Victims come from all over the world and even within the United States, and can be found in any type of community.

"I never thought a human being would go through what I went through and live," one victim said. "Having gasoline poured on me while they held a match and having 15 guys circle me and stomp me -- literally stomp me."

FBI agents describe human trafficking as a mobile crime. Often the victims are moved before anyone can recognize and report the signs.

North Carolina is a perfect example.

It is easy for traffickers to keep moving with access to major highways like I-40, I-85 and I-95 running up and down the East Coast and through North Carolina.

This makes it nearly impossible to prosecute them, authorities say.

"Some stare you in the face, and you don't even know it," FBI agent John Price said. "They're behind locked doors, bars and windows, and you're not going to see them."

In 2006 there were only 100 convictions across the country, yet it is estimated that 19,000 people were victims in the United States that same year.

Lawmakers have tried to implement legislation designed to curb trafficking.

In North Carolina they have developed a training manual and seminars for emergency crews and community members, and are working on designing a program that monitors the problem year round.

If you think you might know a victim, call the human trafficking information hotline at 1-888-373-7888.