The U.S., including New Jersey, has seen an increase in human trafficking crimes, especially in the last few years. As a result, New Jersey enacted the Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act in 2013 (the “2013 Act”). This legislation created a commission and task force within New Jersey’s Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Law and Public Safety to address human trafficking issues by providing victim assistance and a system for easily reporting suspected human trafficking activity. The 2013 Act also established criminal and civil liability for anyone engaging in this form of illicit sexually based activity in New Jersey.
To “disrupt and interdict this activity,” the State of New Jersey Human Trafficking Task Force strives to achieve the following as its primary goals:
- Train law enforcement in methods of identifying victims and signs of human trafficking
- Coordinate efforts across New Jersey in providing services to victims of human trafficking
- Increase the successful prosecution of those persons guilty of human trafficking
