Human Trafficking
The Office of the Attorney General is the leading agency in Kentucky's fight against human trafficking. Human trafficking is the forced exploitation of someone for labor or sex, and trafficking oppresses adults and children of all races, genders, ages, occupations, and backgrounds. The Office of Trafficking and Abuse Prevention and Prosecution (TAPP) handles human trafficking cases and assists local law enforcement with resources in an effort to stop human trafficking in the Commonwealth.
Signs of Human Trafficking
A victim of human trafficking:
- May show signs of physical or mental abuse
- May not have control over their own money, ID, or personal possessions
- May not be able to speak on their own behalf or unable to leave on their own
- May appear to be fearful or submissive
- May not know what city or state they are in, or where they are living
- May work excessively long hours
Your Eyes Save Lives
In January of 2021, the Kentucky Office of Attorney General launched a statewide human trafficking awareness campaign, “Your Eyes Save Lives.” The campaign combats human trafficking by raising awareness of the signs of human trafficking and empowers citizens, law enforcement, and community leaders to report suspected trafficking.
Funded by a grant from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the initiative complements the efforts of law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim service organizations in raising awareness to human trafficking in Kentucky.
According to the 2023 Human Trafficking Report issued by the Department for Child Based Services, there is a growing trend of human trafficking reports due to online grooming. Under Attorney General Russell Coleman’s leadership, a Counter Exploitation Division has been created within the Department of Investigations to help address this and other alarming issues facing Kentucky’s youth.
Learn more about the campaign by visiting YourEyesSaveLives.ky.gov.