Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - In a joint announcement at the Robert H. Jackson Federal Courthouse in Buffalo on Tuesday, Congressman Brian Higgins, Erie County Sheriff John Garcia, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and the International Institute of Buffalo introduced a three-year federal grant totaling $1.5 million awarded to the Western District of New York Human Trafficking Task Force by the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime.
This grant comes during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and it will provide funding to identify and support the survivors of human trafficking, regardless of age, type of trafficking, or immigration status, while investigating and prosecuting their traffickers throughout the Western District of New York.
"Trafficking is much more common than many realize," Higgins said during Tuesday's press conference. "In 2020, over 11,000 cases of trafficking were identified in the United States. While we're making good progress, there still is much more to be done to find and hold traffickers accountable, and to identify incidences of trafficking that continue to go undetected. We stand here today representing various levels of government, multiple law enforcement agencies and community agencies, because that is what it takes - a true collaborative effort to fight human trafficking."
"We are extremely grateful to the Department of Justice for investing in Western New York, once again, by providing our taskforce with crucial funding to combat human trafficking using a multidisciplinary model," said Western District of New York Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator, Mary Cosgrove Moran on Tuesday. "This funding showcases the amazing work of our partners who are experts in their respective fields, and who have made a commitment to putting victims first. Our partners' eagerness to work together, despite their different perspectives, drives the continued success of this task force."
The Western District of New York Task Force has received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice since 2006, and is one of the most experienced task forces in the country. This task force works to develop victim-centered approaches to successfully investigate, prosecute and support stabilization and healing for those who have survived human trafficking.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office has worked with the Western District of New York Task Force since its inception in 2006, and Sheriff Garcia is happy to continue its efforts to combat a heinous crime such as human trafficking.
"Since 2006, our region has witnessed a steady climb in the number of incidents and victims, and much of it is due to the fact that the task force, in their work, is empowering victims to come forward and report the crime," Sheriff Garcia said. "Another reason is the group's efforts to raise public awareness about this crime. Although my office and task force have received grants in the past, this year's award allows my office to expand our victim identification screening."
Garcia says the Sheriff's Office is in the process of implementing two new programs for their task force in this operation. The first is the Path to Survivor program, which will utilize correctional health medical professionals to conduct enhanced screenings to identify human trafficking victims. The second is Traffic Stop, which will utilize school resource officers to educate students about signs to look for when noticing human trafficking.
"We're living in a pandemic, however, life goes on and these crimes continue to occur," Sheriff Garcia said. "Our task force members are working extremely hard for the victims and pursuing their abusers. These funds will significantly impact our ability to fight human trafficking in our region and support our victims."
To report a case of human trafficking, the number to call is 1-(866)-347-2423. If you are a victim of human trafficking, you can text "HELP" to Be Safe (233733), or call 1-888-373-7888. You can also read more information about indicators of identifying a victim of human trafficking by visiting www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign.
To learn more about the Western District of New York Human Trafficking Task Force, visit www.wnytrafficking.org.
