Washington Human Trafficking Task Force

Under this award, the Seattle Police Department will further develop and operate a victim centered human trafficking task force in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal law enforcement, and their Office for Victims of Crime Human Trafficking Services provider to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking and to proactively investigate human trafficking and prosecute traffickers. The primary goal of this program is to identify and rescue foreign victims of trafficking through a victim centered, proactive investigation strategy. The secondary goal is the interdiction of trafficking and the successful prosecution of traffickers.

Seattle Police Department will utilize the supplemental funding to continue to fund two full time investigative detectives, who will liaison with social services providers. The overarching goals of the task force convened by the Seattle Police Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office, which is known as the Washington Advistory Committee on Trafficking (WashACT) will continue to:
increase the identification of trafficking victims through proactive law enforcement, which is victim centered and through a multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional operation; support and assist service providers by directing trafficking victims to WashACT partners who can assist with applications for continued presence in the United States and certifications or eligibility for DHHS refugee benefits; successfully prosecute human traffickers; conduct a strategy that supports a strong law enforcement role in public awareness and outreach; and identify and collaborate with community stakeholders in an effort to eliminate human trafficking.

CA/NCF