The utah trafficking in persons (UTIP) task forces goal is to implement a coordinated victim-centered, trauma-informed approach through multidisciplinary collaboration to combat human trafficking in…

The Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) awarded a $1,000,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Services for Trafficking Victims program (CFDA 16.320) to the Asian Association of Utah (AAU) to implement the Utah Trafficking in Persons (UTIP) Task Force. The goal of the UTIP Task Force is to take a coordinated, victim-centered, and trauma-informed approach to combating human trafficking in Utah through identifying victims, investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases, providing comprehensive services to victims, and increasing awareness and community outreach. Key activities include developing task force partnerships and protocols, collecting data, implementing collaborative service delivery, assisting victims in achieving safety and independence, and investigating and prosecuting both sex and labor trafficking cases. The project will target human trafficking across the entire state of Utah and serve communities statewide. The award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The utah trafficking in persons (UTIP) task forces goal is to implement a coordinated victim-centered, trauma-informed approach through multidisciplinary collaboration to combat human trafficking in utah through 1) identifying victims of all human trafficking; 2) investigating and prosecuting all forms of trafficking cases; 3) providing comprehensive services to all trafficking victims; and 4) providing training, increasing awareness and community outreach. To accomplish this goal the UTIP task force will 1) develop, sustain, and strengthen CO-leaders structure and coordination of ECM task force partnerships and activities; 2) develop, implement, or revise a set of written protocols to guide overall task force functions; 3) collect data and conduct ongoing assessment activities; 4) implement victim-centered, trauma-informed, and collaborative approaches; 5) investigate, refer, and prosecute both SEX and labor trafficking cases at local, state, tribal, and federal levels; and 6) assist victims of SEX and labor trafficking in achieving increased safety, independence, self-sufficiency, and well-being by providing appropriate services. The project will target human trafficking throughout the entire state of utah. The intended beneficiaries are all utah communities. Through this project, the UTIP task force aims to expand task force effectiveness and build on current momentum to make statewide strides in will and capacity to address SEX and labor trafficking.