State launches county resource map to combat sex trafficking
New website features resources available locally
By DON WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
In a significant step to address human trafficking, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Arkansas State Police (ASP) have unveiled a new webpage to assist victims and educate the public. The launch coincides with National Human Trafficking Month and underscores Arkansas’s commitment to preventing this heinous crime.
The new webpage, developed in collaboration with the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Human Services, provides tools to report suspected trafficking and offers a county-by-county map of resources for victims.
“This new webpage is an important tool in our fight to end human trafficking in Arkansas,” said Attorney General Tim Griffin. “There was previously no centralized way to report suspected activity or find resources for victims. I remain committed to doing everything in my power to end this horrific criminal activity.”
The webpage also features a portal for the public to report potential trafficking cases directly to the ASP, empowering citizens to play an active role in identifying suspicious activities.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders spoke on the importance of this initiative. “I signed an Executive Order in my first few months in office to prevent human trafficking because no Arkansan should face the horror of this terrible crime,” she said. “The working group that Executive Order brought together played a key role in developing this webpage, and I know this resource
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will help leaders, advocates, and victims across our state combat trafficking in their communities.”
ASP Director Col. Mike Hagar noted the significance of awareness. “Prevention is the first step toward action. Our sincere hope is that this webpage will empower Arkansans to recognize the signs of trafficking and serve as a way for victims to connect with critical resources.”
The Arkansas Human Trafficking Council (AHTC), created in 2023 with a $1.5 million, three-year grant from the Office of Victims of Crime, spearheaded the development of this platform. In 2024, the council implemented new identification tools, law enforcement policies, and training for 2,500 individuals.
ASP Sgt. Matt Foster, Arkansas Human Trafficking Coordinator, highlighted the collective effort required to fight trafficking. “This webpage is not just a resource – it’s a signal of our commitment to victims and survivors across Arkansas. Our work will not stop until every trafficker is brought to justice and every victim has a path to recovery.”
Last year, the ASP’s Human Trafficking Task Force conducted three recovery operations in Northeast Arkansas, Hot Springs, and Little Rock. These efforts contacted 28 adults and offered medical care, advocacy, and needs assessments, while an additional 134 victims were identified.
DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam acknowledged the collaboration behind these efforts, saying, “It takes all of us working together to fight human trafficking. These new resources are a valuable tool that will further our efforts to collaborate across the state.”
Currently, Arkansas has 108 missing children under the age of 18, with 11 missing for over two years. These statistics underscore the urgency of tackling human trafficking.
To report suspected human trafficking, visit dps.arkansas.gov, email ReportHT@arkansas.gov, or call (501) 516-5896.
