News from New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance

For more information contact: Anthony Farmer (OTDA), 518-474-9516; Janine Kava (DCJS), 518-457-8828

Human Trafficking Task Force Meets for First Time

Implementing New Law, Assisting Victims Are Priorities

ALBANY, NY (09/05/2007; 1600)(readMedia)-- The New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking held its initial meeting today to begin work on implementing a human trafficking law approved earlier this year by Governor Eliot Spitzer and the State Legislature.

The task force, which includes representatives of 10 state agencies, is co-chaired by Commissioner David A. Hansell, of the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), and Commissioner Denise O’Donnell, of the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The law was approved to strengthen penalties against human trafficking and provide assistance to victims.

“It’s important we reassure victims they are safe and get them the protection and support they need to rebuild their lives,” Commissioner Hansell said. “Cooperation among the many partners involved here is key to ensuring the first steps in assisting these victims are as seamless and stress-free as possible.”

“Human trafficking is often a difficult crime to detect, largely because victims are hidden from public view and the means used by traffickers are many times subtle,” Commissioner O’Donnell said. “Our law enforcement agencies must know where to look, what to look for and what questions to ask."

“The work of this task force will empower law enforcement in those efforts, and ensure that they have the training and tools necessary to develop a different approach to observation and surveillance, a different level of understanding to work toward the goal of eradicating the blight of human trafficking on the global culture,” Commissioner O’Donnell added.

The legislation makes sex trafficking and labor trafficking felony-level crimes. Additionally, trafficking victims who are not otherwise eligible can now receive social service assistance from the state, with the help of local community-based groups.

The law also created the New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking to coordinate implementation of the law, collect data on trafficking and develop best practices for training and community outreach to help law enforcement, service providers and the general public recognize situations where trafficking is occurring.

In addition to OTDA and DCJS, the task force also includes representatives of the following state agencies: the Department of Health, the Office of Mental Health, the Department of Labor, the Office of Children and Family Services, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Crime Victims Board, the Office for Prevention of Domestic Violence, and the Division of the State Police.

The task force is expected to report back to the Governor and the Legislature by June 2008.

“Through the work of this task force, we will provide access to these vital services and help put victims on a path to self-reliance,” Hansell said.

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