An initiative of the Human Slavery project of the Globalization Research Center, the HAWAII ANTI-TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE (ATTF) held its first meeting in May 2003. The non-profit organization consists of immigrant legal service professionals, law enforcement personnel, victim service providers, researchers, human rights activists and concerned citizens.

The ATTF seeks to educate victims of their rights, stimulate awareness of human trafficking in the general public and media and to educate law enforcement personnel that HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND U.S. LAW AND IS PROHIBITED.There are currently no data on the extent of human trafficking in the state of Hawaii -- and given Hawaii's mid-Pacific location and tourism site and military, ATTF members agree that Hawaii is a likely trafficking transit and destination site.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Hawai`i Anti-Trafficking Task Force (HATTF) is a statewide network of organizations and individuals working to prevent trafficking of persons to, from, and within Hawai`i, to protect and advance the rights of trafficked persons, and to bring traffickers to justice. The HATTF network includes law enforcement and social service professionals, government and non-government agencies, researchers, educators, and human rights advocates – and is growing. HATTF works toward these objectives through the following activities:

• Developing a coordinated system of linguistically- and culturally-appropriate victim-centered services for trafficked persons.

• Identifying services available to trafficked persons at local, state, and federal levels.

• Evaluating and monitoring state anti-trafficking activities.

• Engaging in advocacy for policies and laws to prevent trafficking to, from, and within Hawai`i, to protect and advance the rights of trafficked persons, and to bring traffickers to justice.

• Serving as a clearinghouse for information on trafficking to, from, and within Hawai`i.

• Assembling and disseminating accurate data on trafficking to, from, and within Hawai`i.

• Facilitating exchange of information among those working to prevent trafficking of persons to, from, and within Hawai`i, to protect and advance the rights of trafficked persons, and to bring traffickers to justice.

• Linking with national and international anti-trafficking networks.

• Raising public awareness about trafficking through education, training, and community outreach.

• Professional education and training: Providing education, training, and toolkits for law enforcement and social service professionals and others that may come into contact with trafficked persons.

• Community outreach: Educating trafficked persons and persons at risk of trafficking, obtaining community assistance in identifying and reporting trafficking, and generating public support for anti-trafficking measures.

 

PRESS RELEASES

Press Release November 17 2003

Press Release May 28 2003

Press Release November 15 2002

 

MEETING AGENDAS

Agenda July 23 2003

Agenda October 08 2003

MINUTES

Minutes May 07 2003

 

CONTACT LIST