The Office of Attorney General in Pennsylvania recently addressed the House Republican Policy Committee regarding human trafficking and the initiatives of Attorney General Michelle Henry's newly established Human Trafficking Section. Chief Deputy Attorney General Heather Castellino and Supervisory Special Agent Gabriel Fabian discussed various aspects of trafficking, including real-world scenarios, common misconceptions, and how victims are targeted.
Attorney General Henry emphasized the importance of dispelling myths about trafficking to enhance public awareness. "Debunking those myths and expanding public awareness of this crime will make it harder for traffickers to operate," she stated.
The Human Trafficking Section was announced in January 2024 with a focus on enhancing efforts to investigate and prosecute cases while providing support for victims. The office has been involved in significant trafficking prosecutions in Pennsylvania and aims to increase its caseload through collaboration.
A critical aspect highlighted during the testimony was reducing demand for commercial sex by prosecuting buyers. Increasing penalties for purchasing sex is seen as a deterrent that could help decrease demand.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Castellino identified factors making individuals vulnerable to trafficking, such as drug dependency, homelessness, or past abuse. She also stressed the need to address labor trafficking within Pennsylvania. "Human trafficking is committed by people with utter disregard for humanity even at the most basic level," Castellino remarked.
The section aims to expand resources for survivors, reinforcing the commitment to ending human trafficking in Pennsylvania.