New committee will aid in fight against human trafficking

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

After more than a year of planning, several Washington County organizations have developed a committee that hopes to prevent human trafficking and offer needed services to victims. 

The Washington County STOP Team, which was incorporated in the 1990s, has created a subcommittee focused on preventing and addressing human trafficking in the region. 

The initiative supported from funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aims to enhance collaboration between the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, victim services, medical personnel and allied professionals to allow them to ensure thorough investigation, effective prosecution and comprehensive support services for victims of domestic and sex crimes.

Awareness of human trafficking has become more prevalent in the past several years, said Leslie Ridge, Washington County Deputy District Attorney. 

More than 40 million people worldwide have become victims of trafficking, but crimes are underreported because of misinformation, lack of awareness and the isolating nature of the crime.

“We thought it was important to be pro-active and ensure that we had the infrastructure in place to address any related issues that may present themselves in our area,” Ridge said. 

Megan Dunlevy, chief operations officer of Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA, which administers the grant, said the STOP teams show collaboration toward a common goal.

“Because the STOP Team is an established collaborative between law enforcement, victim services and other community resources, we thought it would be a natural extension to add trafficking to our list of priorities,” Dunlevy said. 

Joanna Dragan, supervisor of the SPHS CARE Center STTARS Program, said trafficking can happen in the Mon Valley because of its location and access to interstate highways and large entertainment venues that bring people into the area.

The SPHS CARE Center STTARS Program serves victims of sexual and domestic violence.

“Several area organizations have been working to enhance outreach in regard to trafficking and to offer services to survivors,” Dragan said. “The creation of this task force can pool resources and ensure that survivors receive a coordinated and comprehensive response that addresses their needs.

“That alone can make us vulnerable, but during COVID, another issue is that young children and teenagers are spending more time online and using social media, which is often times how traffickers solicit young people, who are vulnerable or lonely seeking friends.

“It’s that grooming process traffickers will use to gain trust, but acting like a friend  is often times how abuse or a trafficking relationship can start.”

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