The issue of human trafficking is an increasing problem as victims are trafficked out of or into the United States from all regions of the world and represent a variety of different races, ethnic groups, religions, and include both boys and girls. Ark of Hope for Children (2014) which provides data on trafficked victim’s states, about 600,000 to 800,000 women, children and men are bought and sold across international borders every year and exploited for forced labor or commercial sex. Moreover, there are 20.9 Million victims of Trafficking Worldwide as of 2012, And about 1.5 Million Victims in the United States.” Ark of Hope for Children (2014). Finally, victims of trafficking span a wide age range from 1 to 18 years old. They may be brought to the U.S. legally or smuggled in.(Ark of Hope for Children)

There are several State and Federal initiatives in place to combat trafficking such as, The Human Trafficking Reporting System HTRS which provides data on human trafficking incidents on a regular basis. Also, (HSTC) “The Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center” which serves as the federal government’s intelligence fusion center and information clearinghouse for all federal agencies addressing illicit travel, specifically, human trafficking, human smuggling, and the facilitation of terrorist mobility. U.S. Department of State (2012)

Erie County seeks to combat the issue of human trafficking by campaigning and educating the public and the public servants through civil and state initiatives. According to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, crucial legislation regarding human trafficking was passed by former Governor Eliot Spitzer and became law in New York State in November 2007. On November 14, 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales came to the Western District of New York to announce the Department of Justice funded Human Trafficking Task Force District.  $900,000 was awarded by the Department of Justice in two equal grants to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the International Institute of Buffalo for the purpose of identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses. (Erie County Sheriff's Office)

Human trafficking involves the exploitation of individuals for forced labor, commercial sex or organ trafficking. The issue of human trafficking is an increasing problem and part of the problem is the lack of partnership between civil and state creating weak education campaign, low awareness among vulnerable communities. Also, victims are trafficked out of or into the United States from all regions of the world and represent a variety of different races, ethnic groups, religions, and include both boys and girls.

My Study is about a proposed Initiative to Address Human Trafficking in Erie County. The study will enlighten the public about the history of human trafficking, and why it’s a major priority of Erie County's DSS. Also, this study will inform the public and public servants about programs available to rescued victims of human trafficking, as well as educate the public and public servants on the importance of human trafficking and how to combat the issue. The subject is quite new in Erie County and as such there are few services or programs available. There is a critical need for training on how to identify and best serve victims of human trafficking. A proposed initiative by Erie County Department of Social Services in reference to the Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act that was passed by the NYS Legislature in 2008 to educate and inform the public and public servants about the issue of human trafficking in Erie County. The purpose of this study is to (investigate, and/or explore) and as well as to educate on the history of human trafficking in Erie County and to propagate a greater understanding on how agencies addresses the issues of human trafficking by implementing services or programs, and how these programs intend to educate the public about the increasing issues of human trafficking in Erie County.

Literature Review

Purpose Statement & IntroductionReferences

Ark of Hope for Children. (2014, 22 February 2014). Child trafficking Statistics U.S. & International. Retrieved from http://arkofhopeforchildren.org/child-trafficking/child-trafficking-statisticsErie County Department of Social Services. (2015). Initiative: Addressing Human Trafficking of Minors. Retrieved from http://www2.erie.gov/socialservices/index.php?q=initiative-addressing-human-trafficking-minors.Erie County Sheriff's Office. Human Trafficking.HIRTZEL, A. (2013). WNY agencies granted $1 million to combat human trafficking. Retrieved from http://innovationtrail.org/post/wny-agencies-granted-1-million-combat-human-traffickingNew York State Office of Children and Family Services. (2012). ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PROPOSAL. Retrieved from http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/Safe%20Harbour%20Project/assets/Erie%20Countys%20Safe%20Harbor%20Proposal.pdfU.S Department of Justice. (2007). Assessment of U.S. Government Efforts to CombatTrafficking in Persons in Fiscal Year 2006. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/archive/ag/annualreports/tr2007/assessment-of-efforts-to-combat-tip0907.pdfhttp://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/oshs/factsheet.html.U.S. Department of State. (2012). Trafficking in persons report. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2012/

This is a qualitative study in which the data are triangulated in various ways – field notes, content analysis of various sources, interviews.

Qualitative data will be collected through content analysis of meeting minutes, field notes (e.g. researcher’s notes of taskforce meetings), and reports (such as grant reports). Interviews will take place with policymakers of the different governmental and nonprofit agencies involved.

Sample Selection

Design of Study

The Sheriff’s Office states, the Western District of New York Human Trafficking Task Force and Alliance is a multi-agency group designed to combat human trafficking through the Western District of New York.  The task force includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, the US Dept. of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, the US Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour, US Border Patrol, the International Institute of Buffalo, Farmworker Legal Services, as well as the Missing and Exploited Children. (Erie County Sheriff's Office)

Also, under the grant, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office has been given the task to educate and train law enforcement officers, prosecutors, EMS and firefighters about human trafficking, as well as training non-government organizations, including the public. Moreover, The Sheriff department will educate front line enforcement personnel, as well as the public, on what signs to look for when it comes to human trafficking. (Erie County Sheriff's Office) In addition, the grant covers the following 17 Counties:   Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. (Erie County Sheriff's Office) Finally, the proposed initiatives to combat trafficking should focus on educating, awareness and sheltering, and as such these initiatives will help reduce the increasing issue of human trafficking.

Heightening Awareness of Human Trafficking in Western New York and the Development of Needed Services

Edmund BarfourMaster of Public Administration Project· Dr. Therese Warden, PriojectAdvisor