West Virginia Human Trafficking Taskforce
Established in 2016, the West Virginia Human Trafficking Taskforce
was created to raise awareness of and combat human trafficking
in the Mountain State. It also offers services to victims through
collaboration with a variety of agencies, including the Department
of Homeland Security, FBI, West Virginia Department of Health &
Human Resources, Polaris Project and Shared Hope International.
The task force is chaired by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the
Northern and Southern districts of West Virginia and is comprised of
federal, state and local law enforcement officers, service providers,
victim advocates, educators and representatives of the West Virginia
Attorney General’s Office. Its work is carried out by subcommittees
focused on investigation, victim services, training and awareness
and data collection and analysis and meets quarterly in different
regions of the state.
In an effort to educate the public, the task force hosts and coordinates
outreach and awareness events around the state. Panel discussions,
film screenings, training and certification programs and awareness
events like the YWCA Human Trafficking Awareness Event and A21
Walk for Freedom all play a role in educating the public and sharing
vital resources in the battle against human trafficking and slavery.
For more information on upcoming events in West Virginia, visit
https://stophumantraffickingwv.org/events.
“Familial human trafficking is particularly difficult to un-
cover due to the closed nature of the family unit,” explains
Stuart. “The opioid crisis has also led to a dramatic increase
in the foster youth population in the state, and minors in the
foster care system are at an increased risk of becoming victims
of trafficking. The localized nature of familial sex trafficking
and its association with the opioid crisis lead to it occurring
throughout the state.”
Other types of trafficking are frequently connected to cities
or other areas located along major highways.
“Any location in the state with a high transient population,
ranging from low-income migrant workers to areas that have
large numbers of out-of-state businessmen, is also likely to see
a higher rate of trafficking,” he says.
Recognizing the Signs
The task force is working to raise awareness throughout the
state as to what human trafficking is and how to recognize
the signs of trafficking.
Risk factors, especially for minors, include history of abuse,
neglect, and trauma; low self-esteem; minimal social support;
and runaway and homeless youth. Those who run away from
foster care are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking.
“Particularly with minors, if you notice concerning behavior
and are a trusted adult in that child’s life, simply asking if the
minor is okay can provide them with the opening they need to
feel safe disclosing about trafficking,” says Stuart.
The task force is also working to create a coordinated net-
work of victim service providers throughout the state to assist
those who are rescued from trafficking situations.
Putting an end to human trafficking in the Mountain State
is possible, but it will require the commitment and effort of all
West Virginians, from law enforcement officers to civilians.
“Great strides are being taken to identify and end human
trafficking in West Virginia, but there is still more work to be
done,” says Stuart. “One of the most important steps in com-
batting human trafficking is for residents of West Virginia to
become educated on the risk factors for human trafficking and
how to recognize the signs.”
A Call for Help
If you or someone you know is being trafficked, it’s important
to report this activity to those who can help you.
If you need help or want to report a trafficking situation, you
can contact the following:
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National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888
WV State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse:
(800) 352-0927
WV Abuse and Neglect Hotline: (800) 352-6513
WV Fusion Center: (866) WVWATCH
Department of Homeland Security–Homeland
Security Investigations: (866) 347-2423
FBI: (412) 432-4000
Text “BeFree” to 233733
If there is immediate danger, call 911.
WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM
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