The International Institute of New Jersey



		IINJ > Programs > Anti-trafficking Initiative Anti-trafficking in New Jersey IF YOU ARE IN AN EMERGENCY RELATED TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TRAFFICKING RELATED SERVICES, PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS AT (866) 999-9007 BACKGROUND Human trafficking has become an alarmingly frequent occurrence throughout the world in recent years. Millions of women, men, and children are trafficked across borders and within countries for the purpose of slave labor. Many trafficking victims are forced into domestic servitude, bonded sweatshop labor, migrant agricultural work, or commercial sexual exploitation. The U.S. government estimates that between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked annually into the United States. Traffickers often prey on individuals who are poor, frequently unemployed or underemployed, and who may lack access to social safety nets. Victims are often lured with false promises of good jobs and better lives, and then forced to work under brutal and inhuman conditions. IINJ and the NJ ANTI-TRAFFICKING INITIATIVE From 2003 to 2006, working with the New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office, Monmouth University School of Social Work, Safe Horizon, and with support from Congressman Chris Smith, the International Institute of New Jersey created the New Jersey Anti-Trafficking Initiative. The Initiative brought together key stakeholders from throughout the state to increase cooperation and understanding of the problem of Human Trafficking in NJ. Additionally, the Initiative worked with stakeholders to develop protocols for serving trafficking victims. The intent of these protocols was to help identify how and where stakeholders may obtain crucial resources and describe a statewide system for coordination and communication. Key achievements of the Initiative were: + Increased knowledge and understanding of the scope of trafficking in New Jersey, the benefits available to victims, how to identify and respond to the special psychological, social, legal and medical needs of trafficked persons + Identified gaps in services, promoted communication among key stakeholders, coordinated response and made recommendations for change to promote more effective response to victims’ needs + Developed a statewide system for coordination and communication among key partners + Developed a statewide resource list of law enforcement, NGO’s, social service agencies and organizations able to assist victims (New Jersey Resources for Trafficked Persons) NEW JERSEY ANTI-TRAFFICKING COALITION Additionally, the Initiative organized the New Jersey Anti-Trafficking Coalition. Because the needs of the state are diverse, the Coalition is divided between the Northern and Southern Coalition. Each group meets every other month and increases cooperation among NGOs, Service Providers and Law Enforcement. Since March 31, 2006, the Anti-Trafficking Initiative at the International Institute of New Jersey has transitioned its leadership role in the Coalition to the NJ Division of Criminal Justice Anti-Trafficking Task Force. > If you suspect cases of human trafficking please call the Toll - Free Hotline: 877 -986- 7534 or visit www.njshttf.nj.gov for more information.