Stop human trafficking task force (stop httf) will continue the partnership of bcfs health and human services (bcfc HHS) and SAN antonio police department (sapd)

This $900,000 Cooperative Agreement award, provided by the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs under the Services for Trafficking Victims program (CFDA 16.320), will support the Stop Human Trafficking Task Force (STOP HTTF) partnership between BCFS Health and Human Services (BCFC HHS) and the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). The project aims to increase access to services and identification of trafficking survivors, particularly among underserved communities like immigrants, LGBTQ+, disabled, tribal groups, and unaccompanied minors. Key activities include completing a gap analysis of existing trafficking services, engaging with marginalized communities, developing a labor trafficking screening tool for law enforcement, and establishing a Lived Expert Council to maintain a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach. The award will also facilitate task force coordination, protocol updates, and increased collaboration between law enforcement and prosecutors to enhance victim services and increase arrests and prosecutions of traffickers. The project period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

Stop httfs other lead memberslocal usao and bexar county daand the core membershsi, FBI, and bexar county soare committed to continuing stop httf efforts. Stop httf plans to increase access to services and identification of trafficking survivors by completing a GAP analysis of trafficking services already provided to identify remaining needs; engage underserved communities like immigrant, lgtbq+, disabled, tribal groups, and unaccompanied minors, a largely male population; and develop a training and outreach plan for additional engagement with emphasis on marginalized and underserved communities. Stop httf wants to increase arrests and prosecutions of traffickers by fostering more collaboration between law enforcement and prosecutors, developing a labor trafficking screening tool for law enforcement use, and looking for new proactive investigative techniques to target traffickers. Stop httf will also create a lived expert council to maintain a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to victim services, investigations, and prosecutions. Updating protocols, hiring of a task force coordinator, and continuing task force meetings will facilitate the objectives by serving more victims of labor and SEX trafficking, increasing access to services for those in underserved or marginalized communities, and prosecuting more traffickers.