State DOJ, community groups launch Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement are collaborating with community groups to launch a new Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force to combat the issue of sex, labor and other forms of trafficking in the state.
"This task force is going to enhance efforts around the state to fight human trafficking," Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a news conference Wednesday, Jan. 18.
Happening now: @WisDOJ AG Josh Kaul and others are announcing the establishment of a new Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. pic.twitter.com/x0W2kqRRLS
— Victor Jacobo (@victorjacobo_) January 18, 2023
The task force is led by the state Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation and Project Respect, an organization providing services to victims and survivors of sex trafficking.
"One of the more important aspects of this task force is that the victim safety and victim autonomy guides our work," said Mariana Rodriguez, the director of the Latina Resource Center at UMOS, one of the groups collaborating with the task force.
The effort focuses on a victim-centered approach, which has been part of a change of focus for law enforcement across the country when addressing the issue.
"What I think 20 years ago may have been viewed as perhaps a crime involving prostitution, now there's a much better understanding that often those are actually cases involving human trafficking," said Kaul. "And that somebody who may have been arrested decades ago may very well be a victim of a crime."
Working together, the aim is for law enforcement and community groups to not only benefit victims and survivors, but better prosecute traffickers.
"It's also important for law enforcement and proactive investigations because being connected with victim services can help empower survivors to decide to work with law enforcement to hold traffickers accountable," Kaul said.
Efforts in the state Capitol
There are also efforts to address the issue in Madison.
State Senator LaTonya Johnson (D - Milwaukee) is an author of a bipartisan effort called the Safe Harbor Bill, which is now being circulated in the Capitol for co-sponsors.
"We want to make sure that human traffickers don't see Wisconsin as a place to come and get victims," Sen. Johnson told CBS 58 in an interview.
The bill would prevent minors from being prosecuted for crimes of prostitution. Johnson said the bill is part of the victim-centered approach to fighting trafficking that helps victims and also goes after those perpetuating the crime.
"We want to make sure that these children are treated as children and as victims and not prosecute these children for crimes that they are not responsible for," Johnson said.
Resources
The Wisconsin DOJ has information on various resources:
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888
More information HERE.
The UMOS Latina Resource Center has a 24/7 bilingual crisis line which can be reached at: 414-389-6510
More information on the center can also be found HERE.
Project Respect can be reached at: 608-283-6435
More information on Project Respect can be found HERE.