FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2025) – Gov. Andy Beshear, First Lady Britainy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police are observing January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, raising awareness about this crime and educating the public on how to identify and prevent it.
KSP’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVE) is participating in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative during the week of Jan. 13 -17. This annual effort aims to educate commercial motor vehicle drivers, motor carriers, law enforcement officers and the public about human trafficking, the signs to look for and what to do if you suspect someone is being trafficked.
“Since I began my time in public office, I have been committed to fighting human trafficking and supporting victims,” Gov. Beshear said. “We remain committed to this fight and to making sure that no Kentuckian is a victim of this heinous crime.”
The First Lady is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting survivors, and she serves on the advisory board for the National Coalition for the Prevention of Human Sex Trafficking.
“As First Lady, and as a mom, my top priority is protecting Kentucky’s children and young adults,” the First Lady said. “I’m proud of Team Kentucky’s efforts to rescue victims, hold criminals accountable and make sure survivors have the resources they need to heal.”
“Fighting human trafficking requires strong collaboration not only within our agency but among all of us on Team Kentucky,” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. “Together, can we create meaningful change and work to create a safer Kentucky for everyone.”
Human trafficking, a modern form of slavery, involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud or coercion. As many as 24.9 million men, women and children are sold into prostitution, domestic servitude or other forced labor around the globe. KSP’s works to prevent human trafficking through a multi-faceted approach.
“This month offers an opportunity to honor the resilience of trafficking survivors and acknowledge the efforts of those dedicated to combatting this heinous crime,” KSP Sergeant Vicki Day, a member of the KSP Human Trafficking Unit, said. “When more people can recognize the warning signs, we stand a better chance of breaking the cycle and ending trafficking altogether.
KSP has developed a cycle map to illustrate how human trafficking originates and perpetuates among victims, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of its devastating impact.
The three primary forms of trafficking prevalent in Kentucky:
- Labor Trafficking: Victims are coerced into work to meet basic needs or fund drug habits.
- Sex Trafficking: Victims are forced into commercial sexual acts through threats, pressure, or manipulation, often by someone they know, such as a romantic partner or family member.
- Familial Trafficking: The most common form in Kentucky involves a trusted family member exploiting the victim for profit, often in exchange for drugs, money, or other benefits.
Gov. Beshear reminds Kentuckians of the legal duty to report suspicions of children involved in the commercial sex trade to Kentucky Department for Community Based Services at 1-877-KYSAFE1 and to local law enforcement. Other concerns about possible trafficking activities should be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. To learn more about the signs of human trafficking, click here. If there is an emergency, dial 911 immediately.
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