Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer established the Arizona Human Trafficking Council through an executive order on Monday to reduce trafficking and help victims.
Brewer created the Task Force on Human Trafficking in April 2013 to find ways to reduce trafficking and protect the most vulnerable individuals. The Human Trafficking Council will work to carryout out recommendations issued by the task force following months of testimony from 16 experts.
“Human trafficking is a despicable crime affecting some of our most vulnerable citizens and, as a border state facing international and inter-state ports of entry, Arizona is particularly exposed to its harmful effects,” Brewer said. “As long as the problem persists, we must undertake every possible action to protect our state and our citizens. In addition to working with state lawmakers to strengthen Arizona trafficking laws, we also must enhance federal, state and local coordination to address and eliminate this atrocity once and for all. This council – comprised of Arizona’s leading experts in human trafficking and public safety – will be a significant next step in our critical mission.”
The council will seize upon the task force’s recommendations to strengthen state human trafficking laws to increase protections for victims and fortify penalties for traffickers. The council will also work to better coordinate the state’s overall response to trafficking.
Under the leadership of co-chairpersons Cindy McCain, a philanthropist and business owner, and Arizona Department of Homeland Security Director Gilbert Orrantia, the Human Trafficking Council will develop plans, evaluate data, promote law enforcement collaboration and work to raise public awareness.