HHS News
OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: ACF Press OfficeThursday, September 22, 2005 (202) 401-9215
HHS Launches Campaign on Long Island
To Identify, Assist Victims of Human Trafficking
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. --- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced a collaboration with law enforcement, federal and local officials and non-governmental organizations on Long Island to combat human trafficking. The launch is the latest development in a nationwide effort to train those most likely to encounter victims – social service organizations, local law enforcement and health care professionals.
“Human trafficking is, quite simply, a modern day form of slavery,” said Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., HHS’ assistant secretary for children and families. “The Long Island Rescue & Restore coalition will help to identify and assist more victims of trafficking.”
Between 14,000 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year. Traffickers exploit these victims -- from regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, the former Soviet Union and Africa -- for commercial sex and forced labor. Earlier this year, human trafficking received significant attention in New York with the apprehension of a woman trafficking Chinese immigrants into New York and other cities on the East Coast.
The Long Island Rescue & Restore coalition will be trained to help identify victims, creating a grassroots network to reach out to victims and bring them to safety. Coalition members include Catholic Charities, the Long Island Council of Churches and the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, among others. Once victims are identified, they are referred to local federal grantees such as Rockville Centre Catholic Charities.
Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), qualified trafficking victims can access federally funded or administered benefits and services to the same extent as refugees.
HHS’ Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking campaign aims to educate Americans about the problem of human trafficking and how they can help victims in their community. A key component of the campaign is the 24/7 toll-free trafficking information and referral hotline, 1.888.373.7888, which provides information and assistance to victims of trafficking and to those who are assisting potential victims, providing instant referrals to pre-screened aid organizations.
To learn more about human trafficking and the campaign, visit www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking.
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