Counties partner to form Eastern MT Human Trafficking Task Force

The Eastern Montana Human Trafficking Task Force is a collaboration of law enforcement, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and concerned citizens. Our mission is to educate and bring awareness to the communities of Eastern Montana about human trafficking and to further develop a plan for a victimcentered approach using a multidisciplinary team.

EMTHTTF strives to create active relationships and partnerships with Eastern Montana counties including: Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Fallon, McCone, and Carter. Provide local educational opportunities for awareness and prevention. Develop a seamless communication system with local agencies and communities for the purpose of rapidly identifying and assisting human trafficking victims.

Human trafficking robs an estimated 24.9 million people worldwide of their dignity and freedom. Traffickers exploit children and adults into forced labor or commercial sex for a profit every day. Knowing the signs and taking certain steps can help strengthen our communities’ efforts against human trafficking.

There are two forms of trafficking in persons recognized by the United States: forced labor and sex trafficking. Forced labor can take on many forms and is defined as the use of coercion, force or fraud to obtain services or labor from another person. Traffickers use coercion by withholding documents of identity, using debt manipulation, withholding pay along with many other forms of manipulations or threat. Sex trafficking uses all the same forms of coercion, force and fraud as forced labor along with serious harm, threats to others, psychosocial harm, etc. Minorities and children are easy targets to traffickers. Minorities have a language barrier and no community to reach out to. Children are easily manipulated and are more vulnerable.

There are many ways you can join the fight against human trafficking. Being well-informed is a good first step. Teaching our youth how to recognize recruitment tactics and being mentors to those who do not have a strong support system can help prevent them from becoming a victim of human trafficking. If you suspect any form of human trafficking you can call your local authorities or the national hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Visit 20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking at (www.state.gov/20-waysyou-can-help-fight-humantrafficking/) or contact EMTHTTF at EMTHTTF@ outlook.com for more ways you can help.