Oklahoma has taken a significant step in the fight against human trafficking by establishing a dedicated Response Unit, making it one of the first states to do so. Attorney General Drummond emphasized the importance of addressing human trafficking, stating that it is a prevalent issue hiding in plain sight in Oklahoma.
In 2022, Oklahoma passed a law requiring the Attorney General’s office to track human trafficking data and formally establish the Human Trafficking Response Unit. Collaboration has emerged as a central theme in tackling the issue, with a recent summit bringing together state and city leaders, community members, and faith leaders to advocate for enhanced prevention measures.
According to Allies Against Slavery, 113 sex trafficking victims were identified in Oklahoma in 2022, with 93% of them being minors. However, these numbers are likely underrepresented due to unreported cases. State leaders stress the importance of collaboration in effectively addressing the issue.
Survivor Keli Craig shared her story at the summit, emphasizing the importance of community members being proactive and knowing how to access resources. Oklahoma has made progress in prosecuting human trafficking cases and protecting survivors, but gaps in prevention policies remain, highlighting the need for continued community involvement and awareness.
The establishment of the Human Trafficking Response Unit marks a significant milestone in Oklahoma’s efforts to combat human trafficking, with leaders and community members coming together to advocate for enhanced prevention measures and collaboration in addressing the issue.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
