NCJ Number
224187
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 35 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 48-52,54,56
Date Published
September 2008
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article examines the prevalence of human trafficking in the United States and discusses the need to educate and train law enforcement officers about human trafficking and the need to partner with victims’ organizations.
Abstract
When traffickers coerce or force modern day slaves to work in inhumane conditions, perform unspeakable acts, and isolate their victims both physically and psychologically to keep them from escaping, law enforcement officers must step in. Local law enforcement is in a unique position to shatter the silence these victims keep, if they ask the right questions and partner with local, State, and Federal agencies to bring these perpetrators to justice. With that said, those agencies training officers about human trafficking, participating in a trafficking task force, and partnering with victim organizations are more likely to expose trafficking situations. Most educational efforts strive to refocus the law enforcement mindset: where officials have been taught to arrest those who have broken the law. In addition, bringing violators to justice hinges on the trust law enforcement builds with victims. It helps when law enforcement officers put victim welfare first and build and develop a rapport with victims. It is also beneficial when law enforcement agencies can partner with nongovernmental agencies and other social service organizations to help break victim silence.