Today, Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Chairman Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), convened a hearing to define human trafficking under state law and highlight the actions being taken to help identify, stop and prevent human trafficking from occurring in Pennsylvania.

The hearing, titled “Uncovering Human Trafficking,” took place at Three Springs Ministries and featured testifiers Korrin Moon, founder, Lantern Rescue; Scott Henry, president, Northern Tier Law Enforcement Instructors Group; Joseph C. Peters, district attorney, Wyoming County; and Heather Castellino, chief deputy attorney general, and Gabriel Fabian, special agent, both of the human trafficking section, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, every year millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide to obtain some type of labor or sex act, and are lured by traffickers through violence, manipulation, false promises of well-paying jobs, and romantic relationships.

“Training law enforcement and spreading awareness into the community on the realities of human trafficking is essential to dispelling the misconceptions around human trafficking,” said Moon. “[This] will allow us to reach more victims and arrest and prosecute more traffickers.”

“One of the fastest-growing crimes in our country, human trafficking is a grave violation of our values and a blight on our communities, including rural communities like ours,” said Owlett. “It is critical that we bolster law enforcement’s tools and resources for combatting this crime, and also educate communities on how to identify human trafficking. I commend all testifiers who shared their stories and experiences today. Because of their relentless work, progress is being made, both in raising awareness of human trafficking and its prevention.”

 “Public safety can always be approved upon, and today’s hearing presents progress in helping law enforcement identify, stop, and prevent human trafficking from occurring in Pennsylvania,” said Kail. “But there is more work that must be done. Pennsylvania will not tolerate this inhumane crime. Together, we can restore hope and justice for those affected.”

To report suspected human trafficking to federal law enforcement, call 1-866-347-2423.

To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).

To watch the complete hearing, visit www.pagoppolicy.com/video/policy.