June 25, 2014
As part of a renewed focus on human trafficking, the FBI last week coordinated its eighth nationwide sweep of truck stops, casinos, and adult entertainment venues, this time across 106 cities.
The results speak for themselves.
Operation Cross Country VIII netted 281 arrests of suspected traffickers and led to the rescue of more than 168 victims – all children. Among the 168 rescued minors was a 14 year-old from New Jersey. Law enforcement agencies in Essex County, Union County, and Atlantic County in New Jersey all participated in the sweep.
During the weeklong campaign, the FBI collaborated with 54 FBI field divisions as well as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Over the past seven years, more than 3,400 trafficking victims have been rescued, and 1,450 arrests have been made.
As part of the Operation, specialists with the FBI’s Office of Victim Assistance helped those rescued by offering food, shelter, clothing, medical attention, and counseling to help them cope with the traumatic experience.
The Community Foundation of New Jersey’s donors first became engaged on the issue of human trafficking in the lead-up to the 2014 Super Bowl in New Jersey. Click here for more on that effort, or call us at 973-267-5533 to get even more involved.
And to learn more about human trafficking or report suspicious activity, call 888-373-7888 or text BeFree to 233733. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a national toll-free hotline available to answer calls and texts from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.