Local leaders, stakeholders gather for human trafficking task force discussion in Rockland

"

Finding solutions to the issue of human trafficking was the focus for dozens of local leaders Tuesday in Rockland County. Nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, school superintendents, probation officers, social workers and others spoke to state law makers at Finkelstein Memorial Library in Spring Valley on Tuesday to share recommendations on what would help them help victims, as part of a hours-long Assembly minority conference task force on human trafficking hosted by Assemblyman John McGowan. "We're all on the same team and we can all get better by doing just this, by talking, by sharing, and by working together in a collaborative way,” said host Republican Assemblyman John McGowan. The task force co-chairs, Republican Assembly members Brian Maher and Mary Beth Walsh, as well as Republican Assemblyman Matt Slater and Rep. Mike Lawler, were also there. "Conversations like these need to be happening every single day among everyone,” said Amanda Mills, with My Sisters’ Place. She works specifically with The organizations anti-trafficking program which serves adult survivors of labor and sex trafficking. She said they had more than 60 clients this past year which could go up with more awareness. Mills said, "the more we talk about human trafficking. The more we talk about what sex and labor trafficking looks like in our communities, I see a lot more people coming forward and recognizing themselves as victims and survivors and needing our services." Mills shared the need for more funding for more confidential housing and other help for victims. Law enforcement spoke about harsher laws for traffickers as well as laws that would better help victims. The National Human Trafficking Hotline says they have identified more than 100,000 cases since they began in 2007. For those who need help or more information, you can reach out to My Sisters’ Place online at or 24/7 by phone at 800-298-7233. "