Attorney General Russell Coleman is urging the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to require better collaboration with local law enforcement from the next operator of the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Coleman, in partnership with a bipartisan coalition of 41 state and territorial attorneys general, sent a letter to Kennedy advocating for better cooperation so the states and the federal government can support victims of human trafficking.
Since 2007, Polaris has operated the National Human Trafficking Hotline and received millions of dollars in congressional funding, the attorney general’s office said. However, it was recently revealed that Polaris has been withholding tips involving victims from law enforcement and often delaying the release of tips by months, contrary to its advertised practices and to the expectations of states, partner organizations, and Congress.
“Law enforcement must run faster and work more collaboratively than ever before to keep victims safe. No taxpayer-funded organization should be withholding critical human trafficking tips from law enforcement,” Coleman said. “We need a partner at the National Human Trafficking Hotline who will work with attorneys general and law enforcement partners to stop these tragedies and hold traffickers accountable.”
HHS is currently seeking applicants for a new funding award, as the notice of funding opportunity does require the Hotline operator to develop a plan for working with law enforcement.
In their letter, the attorneys general asked Kennedy, “to ensure that the organization that is awarded the grant for the National Human Trafficking Hotline demonstrates its commitment to being a partner to our offices and local law enforcement with timely reports of trafficking tips. We have worked hard to teach the public the signs of trafficking and how to report it when they think they see it. But sending the public to the Hotline when they see someone in trouble is futile if the organization running it refuses to share those tips and share them in a timely manner.”
To read the letter, click here.
(Photo: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
