FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
January 11, 2019
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
Attorney General Steve Marshall Promises “Relentless” Pursuit
of Traffickers on Human Trafficking Awareness Day
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall released the following statement in
support of Human Trafficking Awareness Day, which is today, January 11.
“Not only is human trafficking a global tragedy, it is heartbreakingly present in our
own state of Alabama. Human trafficking is only behind drug trafficking as the
second largest criminal industry in the world, with an all-time high of 27 million
victims enslaved today. It is hard for us to fathom that such a vile practice as
slavery exists in our midst, but we must acknowledge it, be vigilant, and fight it.
Right here in Alabama, our interstates–I-20, I-85, I-10 and I-65 – are major routes
for human trafficking.
“Human trafficking involves victims being used for commercial sex or forced
labor. Traffickers target those who are most vulnerable, using threats or torture to
wear down its victims and render them powerless to seek help. Tragically, the
average age of victims is reported to be 12 years old, and one-third of runaway
children are victimized within the first two days of leaving home.
“I want to remind human traffickers of the promise I made them last year: We are
coming after you. This year, another promise: We will only become more
relentless – until the day we End It.
“My office is working with the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force in the End
It Alabama project to fight this horrific crime. I am pleased that we achieved the
passage of important legislation last session. Alabama law now provides better
protection to our youth, provides prior victims convicted of certain criminal
offenses (because they were trafficked) an opportunity to start fresh, and allows
our office to not only go after those who commit this horrible crime criminally, but
also civilly.
“We ask that you be watchful of those who may be in trouble. Please do not try to
intervene, but instead, immediately report any suspicions to law enforcement.
Together, we can save victims, one at a time, and reduce the terrible suffering
caused by the trafficking of our fellow human beings. You may call the National
Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
