Baton Rouge / louisianaradionetwork.com
The newly established Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention receives a $1.5 million federal grant to improve outcomes for young victims of the crime. Executive Director of the office Dr. Dana Hunter said they will continue to work with key experts in the community and come together to combat human trafficking.
“Who’s needed at the table, what resources does this child need to get to a place of successful healing and recovery,” said Hunter
She says human trafficking is very complex, it’s a very dark, heinous, complex issue to identify and to address.
Louisiana is one of two states selected for the 2021 grant and two years ago received a $1.2 million award. Hunter said the multi-year grant will fund the Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative and Accessibility Initiative.
“We are just elated that we can use funds to really make sure wherever a child is identified they can experience a multi-disciplined area approach to care coordination,” said Hunter.
In addition to providing protection for victims, Hunter said the office will also use the grant to fund prosecution, build partnerships, and the prevention of trafficking. For example, educate more law enforcement, especially in rural areas to recognize the crime.
Noting that the I-20/I-10 corridor does increase the ability for out-of-state victims to easily enter Louisiana, Hunter says however the majority of child trafficking victims are homebred, meaning they are groomed and lured into the crime locally.
Hunter says Louisiana has some of the toughest laws to combat human trafficking, but her office wants to revisit those laws and also educate municipalities and law enforcement about them.
“Make sure these laws are being followed and that these penalties are being enacted,” said Hunter.
First Lady Donna Edwards also champions Human Trafficking Awareness to reduce the number of children involved in the heinous crime.
To report a crime of human trafficking you can call the Louisiana State Police Fusion Hotline at 1-800-434-8007 or local law enforcement.
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