Dr. Donna Rixey’s Post

🚨 Success in Operation Wrong Room: Focusing on the Right Targets in Human Trafficking 🚨 The recent "Operation Wrong Room," part of the national "Operation Coast to Coast," marks a significant stride in the right direction for anti-trafficking efforts across 26 states. This operation led to the arrest of 17 individuals in Georgia, with charges focused on pandering and pimping, rather than an outdated practice of penalizing potential victims. Highlighting the importance of targeting the demand side of trafficking, this initiative successfully seized over $255,000 from suspected traffickers and brought to light the networks operating within our communities. This approach aligns with best practices by prioritizing the accountability of buyers and traffickers, while ensuring that those exploited are offered support and resources, not incarceration. Such strategies are crucial for dismantling trafficking operations and providing survivors with pathways to recovery. 🔍 Insight for Professionals: Let’s champion and support operations that focus on disrupting the demand, holding perpetrators accountable, and safeguarding human dignity. Read more at: #HumanTrafficking #OperationWrongRoom #JusticeInAction #CollectiveLiberty

Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. #endhumantrafficking #humantraffickingawareness #humantraffickingprevention

The new Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime aims to understand why young people become part of violent gangs and to prevent it. It will work with experts to develop an extensive understanding of what causes young people to be involved in violence, providing vital evidence that will drive government policy and holding the government to account on its knife crime commitments. #safety #youngpeople #prevention https://lnkd.in/e4edfM3R

Ever considered the challenges young people face today? 👀 360,000 young people in London fall victim to crime each year, yet only 3 out of 10 cases are reported. Many of these young individuals confide in a trusted adult, and our goal is to help these adults guide and support young victims of crime effectively. Would you like to learn how to feel equipped with the necessary tools to build confidence in supporting young victims of crime? Visit our website for downloadable resources 👉 https://lnkd.in/epHYk9GX #trustedyouthallies #youngpeople #traumainformed #trustedadults

Excerpt: New preliminary data from major U.S. cities shows a sharp drop in violent crime in the first half of the year — more than 25% in some communities — as the COVID-era crime wave recedes. Why it matters: The drop in violent crime puts a serious dent in one of the most frequently used lines of attack by former President Trump and his allies, who have sought to tie Democrats to the issue since 2020. It also gives Vice President Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor in San Francisco and California attorney general, a potent defense against attacks from the right on crime. By the numbers: An Axios analysis of data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association found an overall 6% decline in violent crime among 69 cities during the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

Human trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. It involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for various purposes such as forced labor and sexual exploitation. This crime affects millions of people globally, including men, women, and children. Awareness and recognizing the signs of trafficking are crucial steps in helping those in need. Halton Region has a dedicated Human Trafficking department that provides essential resources and support. Additionally, SAVIS, our sexual assault and violence intervention services, also works with human trafficking survivors to offer critical assistance and care. What should I do if I think someone is a victim of trafficking? If there is immediate danger or if you suspect someone is being trafficked, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) urges you to call 9-1-1. You may also call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010. For more information and to learn what steps you can take, visit: https://lnkd.in/gTAJgb56 #EndTrafficking #SupportSurvivors #WorldDayAgainstTrafficking #HumanTraffickingAwareness

Victim-based crimes such as human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and online offenses are not only a violation of human rights but also a profitable venture for organised crime groups. These criminals are relentless in their pursuit of profit, exploiting the innocent without remorse. We use our full range of capabilities to collect, analyse and share #MissionCriticalIntelligence in order to prevent and disrupt these networks. Our efforts extend to aiding in the development of policies, regulations, and laws to lessen the occurrence of these victim-based crimes. You too can contribute to the fight against abuse. Every report matters. Visit ‘How to report crime’ on our website https://lnkd.in/gfvjeMkG or visit accce.gov.au to learn more.      #ProtectingAustralia 

The U.S. State Department published its 2024 report on human trafficking in the world, placing Costa Rica in the "Tier 2" list, which groups countries whose governments, despite not fully complying with the minimum standards to eliminate human trafficking, are making "significant efforts" to meet those standards. Among the efforts highlighted, the report notes that the government allocated resources for prevention programs for the first time in three years, prosecuted more suspected traffickers, convicted more traffickers, and provided services to all identified victims. However, the report also notes that funding for anti-trafficking efforts remains inadequate and that there are bureaucratic obstacles to accessing available funds. In addition, only one male victim of trafficking was identified, and shelter options and services for adult male victims are insufficient. The report includes several priority recommendations, such as increasing victim identification and referral, increasing funding for specialized services, and improving training for local prosecutors. It also recommended intensifying efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, reducing bureaucratic obstacles to the allocation of funds, and improving data collection on judicial and victim protection efforts. In the area of criminal prosecution, the report highlights that the country increased its law enforcement efforts. According to Article 172 of the Penal Code, sex and labor trafficking is criminalized with penalties of six to ten years in prison for crimes involving adult victims, and eight to sixteen years for those involving underage victims. In 2023, 37 cases were investigated under this article, 46 alleged traffickers were prosecuted and 11 traffickers were convicted, with sentences ranging from two to 23 years in prison. The report concludes that, despite progress, Costa Rica must redouble its efforts in several critical areas to comply with international standards and protect victims of human trafficking more effectively. Source: https://lnkd.in/eW5ic5y9.

Frederick County takes a monumental step with INTERCEPT (Inter-Agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking), a task force dedicated to combating human trafficking and internet crimes against children. Frederick County initiated a human trafficking response team in 2018. In 2019, a cyber crimes task force aimed at combating internet crimes against children was established. INTERCEPT amalgamates the efforts of both existing teams. Recognizing a growing intersection between human trafficking and child exploitation, investigators started collaborating more closely. Joyce King highlights the need for a combined approach to address these interconnected challenges. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reports 19,000 cases of child sex trafficking nationwide last year. INTERCEPT partners with key agencies, including Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Frederick City Police, Maryland State Police, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Secret Service. Specially trained task force officers from various agencies collaborate to combat these complex crimes. INTERCEPT stands as the first task force in Maryland and only the third in the U.S. to address these issues with a coordinated response involving law enforcement, policymakers, social service providers, and the general public. Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office affirms INTERCEPT's pioneering role in tackling these critical issues. Together, we forge a united front to protect our community's most vulnerable. • • • #StopChildExploitation #ProjectSafeChildhood #INTERCEPTTaskForce #OperationLightShine #SaveTheChildren #TimTebowFoundation #TimTebow #ProtectOurChildren #HumanTrafficking #ChildExploitation

The CSG Justice Center’s team of nonpartisan analysts and justice experts have identified 5 Ways States Can Reduce Violent Crime. Welcome to Day 2 of us spotlighting each of these 5 strategies on social media: #2: Make data-driven investments in violence prevention. Roughly half of violent crimes are never reported to law enforcement. It is critical that states develop and invest in a wide range of prevention programs that have been shown to reduce violence. Focusing investments and targeting programs to communities that are disproportionately impacted by violent crime and are often historically under-resourced can prevent violent crime and reduce victimization. Learn more about what states can do to make data-driven investments in communities and other strategies to reduce violent crime: https://bit.ly/4akQVto