On September 25, 2008, then Governor, David Paterson signed into law The Safe Harbor Act, making New York the first state to recognize that young people who were being sexually trafficked were in need of protection not detention.

New York State has continued to support rather than punish trafficking victims as exemplified by the passage of the Survivors of Trafficking Attaining Relief Together (START) Act. This law, the first in the nation, allows victims of both sex and labor trafficking to petition the court to vacate a conviction if the crime was the result of being trafficked.

This session will begin with an overview of human trafficking, including which populations are most vulnerable. We will offer strategies and approaches to help you engage with victims of trafficking, who often exhibit signs of trauma including distrust of the judicial system.

We will discuss what efforts the NYPD is undertaking and the important role of the NYPD Human Trafficking Squad to ensure traffickers are arrested and convicted.

Session participants also will learn about the innovative work of the Brooklyn Human Trafficking Task Force and how to apply their transformative work to your practice.