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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp says the effort to reduce domestic violence has come a long way over the last 20 years but more can be done to protect women and others against abuse.

She says the fight against human trafficking is a growing problem in North Dakota. Heitkamp was in Valley City yesterday. She was told that one case has been reported in Barnes County according to an Abused Persons Outreach Center victim advocate.

Heitkamp says victim advocates have also seen an increase in domestic abuse cases from people traveling through Valley City along the interstate.

Last month Heitkamp lauched her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative to give local officials a better understanding of these new challenges in human trafficking and the recent rise of domestic violence.

20 years ago as North Dakota Attorney General Heitkamp help implement the Initial Violence Against Women Act.  

Heitkamp held a roundtable discussion yesterday in Fargo to address domestic violence and the rise of human trafficking cases across the state.