Illinois Steps Up Efforts to End Horrific Human Trafficking

If I was given superpowers to end just one injustice in the world, it would probably be this one. Human trafficking is a horrific crime and the State of Illinois is stepping up efforts to crack down on those who exploit the safety and freedom of others.

The Illinois State Police just shared a press release this week announcing that they have partnered with Texas law enforcement to help train officers to combat human trafficking .

“Survivors of human trafficking are often children and are vulnerable to exploitation or other
“We recognize the need to protect children from sexual abuse,” said Brendan F. Kelly, ISP Director. “Interdiction for the Protection of Children’s specialized training gives our officers the tools they need to identify at-risk and exploited children and bring to justice those who commit these heinous crimes.”

The training provided by these Illinois officers focused on the victim's perspective and trying to isolate and identify the people who commit these crimes. It was broad-based and included “nine local law enforcement officers, 62 DCFS employees, 31 child advocates and 86 ISP officers,” according to the press release.

According to the Illinois State Police, human trafficking is the most underreported crime in the state. This new initiative aims to ensure that this is no longer the case in the future.

If only society would collectively express its outrage at these crimes as it does others, perhaps we could reduce or one day stop the trade in people and their freedom. Hopefully the Illinois State Police, working with Texas, will bring us closer to that day.