FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
USIAHT Launches Human Trafficking Training Program for Law Enforcement
National anti-trafficking organization launches law enforcement training
program to help equip law enforcement in detecting and engaging with trafficking scenarios
TAMPA, Fla. April 10, 2019 – The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking (USIAHT) today
launched the new Human Trafficking: Law Enforcement Certification program designed to equip
law enforcement to effectively identify and respond to crimes of human trafficking.
USIAHT’s new Law Enforcement Certification program is offering a five-segment series that
includes federal law outlining the different forms of human trafficking common in the United
State – including sex trafficking, labor trafficking, forced marriage and domestic/involuntary
servitude.
“It is through the influence and impact of law enforcement agencies that we have a chance to
eradicate trafficking in America. At the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking, we have seen
firsthand the ability law enforcement has to resolve this problem through focusing on the buyer
rather than the victims,” says Geoff Rogers, CEO and co-founder of the U.S. Institute Against
Human Trafficking. “In its first uses by law enforcement, the Law Enforcement Certification
program has already seen great success and is being praised by those on the front lines. We are
confident that more victims will be protected through this training.”
Program participants receive certification of their training once they have completed the five-
segment roll-call certification series which provides law enforcement members and their partners
with information for effectively identifying and responding to crimes of human trafficking. In
order to move through the lesson, participants must pass an exam related to each portion of the
training.
The USIAHT Law Enforcement Certification program was produced in conjunction with the
Pasco Sheriff's Office with the accompanying videos featuring Corporal Alan Wilkett, Florida’s Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Official of the Year in 2017.
“Sex trafficking is known as the ‘crime beneath the surface’ and ‘hidden in plain sight.’ Because
of this nature, and the ability of human trafficking to mask behind other criminal activity, it is
imperative Law Enforcement specifically trains to perceive, discover, investigate, and pursue this
crime vigorously,” says Wilkett. “The Law Enforcement Certification program provides such
training and has proven that once the Law Enforcement Officer is trained, the detection and
pursuit of this criminal activity is greatly enhanced. This training provides for human trafficking defined, scope and span of human trafficking, forms of human trafficking and specific
investigative tools for the law enforcement professional.”
This free training is focused on increasing the identification of victims of human trafficking and
increasing the arrests of those selling and illegally buying services from sex-trafficked victims.
The training provides tools for identifying and procedures for reporting and uncovering the
crime. Trainees receive an overview of trafficker types, recruitment and grooming strategies,
indicators for identifying victims and material on sex buyers. This training series will also
provide information for law enforcement members on cyber trafficking, digital platforms, social
media and online sex trafficking grooming tactics.
Members of law enforcement can go to www.usiaht.org/training to create an account. Once an
account has been created, USIAHT will activate the account prior to providing access to the
training. Members of law enforcement can register individually or can be rolled out to entire law
enforcement agencies.
About USIAHT:
The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking (USIAHT) is a faith-based, non-profit
organization fighting human trafficking in America. We work to prevent trafficking by
combating demand in new and innovative ways, raising awareness, influencing policy, educating
our youth and disrupting trafficking activities. We seek to rescue and rehabilitate victims by
collaborating with organizations that are expert at rescuing abducted youth currently engaged in
the sex trade. We also collaborate with federal, state and local government officials. With offices
in Tampa, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Austin, we are addressing the national
problem and also providing on-the-ground services.
To learn more, go to https://usiaht.org.
