(Rocky Hill, CT) – The Division of Criminal Justice today hosted a press conference for Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz marking Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin welcomed Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott, New Haven FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joseph M. Altimari, State Representative Robin Comey, State Representative Moira Rader, Connecticut Children’s Alliance Executive Director Krystal Rich, Department of Children and Families Chief Administrator for Behavioral Health and Wellness Dr. Nicole Taylor, Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence Executive Director Beth Hamilton, and Love146 Chief Programs and Strategy Officer Erin Williamson to the Office of the Chief States Attorney in Rocky Hill.
The press conference was held in an effort to educate the public about human trafficking, provide updates on the work being done, and the role citizens can play in preventing and responding to human trafficking. The experts in attendance spoke about the importance of awareness and the reporting of suspected human trafficking to authorities as well as the need to protect, support and provide services to those impacted by the crime. A significant focus was placed on prevention efforts and the work being done to assist intervene on behalf of those at greatest risk.
“It’s a privilege for the Division of Criminal Justice to host this gathering for Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month,” Chief State’s Attorney Griffin said. “It’s an observation that we hope someday we won’t have to hold. The Division of Criminal Justice is the agency tasked with the investigation and prosecution of all criminal matters in the state and as the head of this agency, this press conference gives me the opportunity to publicly reiterate the Division’s continued commitment to bringing human traffickers to justice and to reiterate our strong commitment to the victims of human trafficking.”
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin noted the work of the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce of the Greater Hartford Region, led by State’s Attorney Walcott, a collaboration launched two years ago between the Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office and the Connecticut Children’s Alliance.
“We are here to highlight prevention,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “People across the state should know that human trafficking in persons is a crime that involves compelling or coercing an adult or child to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “According to our United States Department of State, there are 27 million people across the world that are subject to human trafficking. We are here today to say that this is not just happening in other countries, it is happening here and sadly, happening in our state.”
State’s Attorney Walcott said human trafficking impacts every race, socio-economic group and zip code in Connecticut.
“It is life-changing for those impacted. That is why it deserves our attention,” State’s Attorney Walcott said. “Through outreach and awareness to those most vulnerable, we equip them to know the signs and avoid the danger.
State’s Attorney Walcott said the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce of the Greater Hartford Region (RHTRT) engages in outreach and awareness by going directly to the family and caregivers of those most vulnerable to inform them of the warning signs, and to provide resources for how to avoid the danger.
“Through training of law enforcement and those at the forefront of the work, we are ensuring that when a victim is identified, the case is handled properly,” State’s Attorney Walcott said.
Love 146 Executive Director Erin Williamson highlighted that “the state has made great strides over the last 10 years and yet demand still exceeds the availability of specialized services.” Williamson requested “better resourced systems and services around the state; what the RHTRT is doing in the Hartford area is needed around the state and appropriately resourced.”
Connecticut Children’s Alliance Executive Director Krystal Rich set out a few focus areas for the state’s work on human trafficking being “expansion of training and education, enhanced resources for specialized services, and a need to focus on the prevention of trafficking.” Rich said the RHTRT is currently working on a mapping project that takes an in-depth look at a trafficking victim’s journey in Connecticut.
State’s Attorney Walcott said the Division of Criminal Justice is continuing to host training for prosecutors and agency personnel on human trafficking. The Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce of the Greater Hartford Region will be hosting a training opportunity, open to all, on identifying victims of human trafficking.
If you are a victim of human trafficking or would like to report suspected human trafficking, contact your local law enforcement agency, the state Department of Children and Families, the state’s care line at 1-800-842-2288, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce of the Greater Hartford Region at 860-785-5051.