The Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Arkansas State Police (ASP) have launched a new webpage to support victims of human trafficking in the state.

According to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders;

“No Arkansan should face this terrible crime. This webpage will support leaders, advocates, and victims statewide in their fight against trafficking.”

The resource page allows the public to report suspected trafficking to the ASP and includes a county-by-county map for locating nearby victim services. The resource was developed with input from the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services.

Col. Mike Hagar, ASP Director, expressed hope that the tool will empower Arkansans to identify trafficking and connect victims with resources.

“We are committed to protecting at-risk individuals and holding traffickers accountable,” he stated.

In 2024, the ASP’s Human Trafficking Task Force conducted three recovery operations in Northeast Arkansas, Hot Springs, and Little Rock, contacting 28 adults and identifying 134 additional victims. The Arkansas Human Trafficking Council, established in 2023 with a $1.5 million federal grant, also trained 2,500 individuals and implemented new tools to aid in prevention. This initiative coincides with National Human Trafficking Month and underscores the state’s commitment to combating trafficking and aiding victims.

Attorney General Tim Griffin praised the webpage as a crucial tool for centralized reporting and victim assistance. DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam emphasized the need for collaboration in combating trafficking statewide.

To report trafficking, visit the webpage, email ReportHT@arkansas.gov, or call (501) 516-5896.

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