Supplemental Funding for Human Trafficking Task Force Initiative

Under this award, Erie County 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.

Erie County will continue to provide support to the Western New York Human Trafficking Task Force under the leadership of the Erie County Sheriff's Office (ECSO). It will enable local law enforcement agencies and the ECSO, in partnership with the U.S Attorneys Office, Western District of New York, to work collaboratively with federal agencies and human trafficking (HT) victims. This task force will continue to take a victim centered approach to pro-actively investigate human trafficking and interdict those situations in which there is forced prostitution, indentured servitude, peonage, or other forms of forced labor. Through achievement of planed goals and performance objectives, law enforcement officers will receive training to better identify trafficking situations, sometimes mistaken for other crime, and ensure victim safety and access to needed services. Training will continue to be provided to other first responders and gate keepers and community service providers.

CA/NCF