Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 41 attorneys general from various states and territories to call for improved cooperation between local law enforcement and the operator of the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In a letter addressed to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert Kennedy, the group demands that the next hotline operator enhance its collaboration with law enforcement to swiftly address human trafficking issues.
"The National Human Trafficking Hotline plays a critical role in combatting trafficking," Nessel stated. She highlighted that without the timely sharing of reports to the authorities, there could be no "investigation, no liberation, and no justice for victims" of trafficking. Nessel added that it is crucial for the hotline's information to be rapidly shared with state and local enforcement.
Since 2007, Polaris has managed the National Human Trafficking Hotline using funds from Congress. It has come to light that Polaris was not regularly forwarding tips about adult victims to state authorities, sometimes delaying the transfer of this information for months. This situation is viewed as inconsistent with the expectations of the partnership and the conditions outlined by Congress.
In February 2023, a similar group of attorneys general pushed Congress to ensure the hotline reports these third-party tips to local enforcement. Following that, then-HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra mentioned integrating coordination requirements with law enforcement in future awards.
Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services is looking for applicants for a new funding award, and the notice specifies that cooperation with law enforcement is mandatory.
The letter to Secretary Kennedy presses for the grant recipient to demonstrate an active partnership with local authorities by delivering timely trafficking tips. The attorneys general emphasized the importance of public awareness in recognizing trafficking signs, but noted that reporting is futile if shared tips are delayed or withheld.
Clarifying their stance, the coalition added, "We are not asking that the Hotline report calls from victims who say they do not want their call reported. But we are asking them to send us the tips they get from anyone other than the victim."
Dana Nessel remains proactive in the effort to tackle human trafficking in Michigan. She has taken legal actions and coordinated with law enforcement task forces to combat trafficking in the state, including recent charges against individuals involved in an alleged international trafficking ring.
Human trafficking can manifest in different forms, including forced labor and sexual exploitation. It often occurs in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, and personal services, among others.
Concerns regarding potential trafficking can be reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center or, in Michigan, to a dedicated tip line.
The letter was endorsed by attorneys general from numerous states and territories including California, Texas, Florida, and New York.