Justice Department Announces Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking

DOJ Press

U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the release of the Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

Rooted in the foundational pillars and priorities of the interagency National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which President Biden released on Dec. 3, 2021, the Justice Department’s National Strategy is expansive in scope.  It aims to enhance the department’s capacity to prevent human trafficking; to prosecute human trafficking cases and to support and protect human trafficking victims and survivors.

“Human trafficking is an insidious crime,” said Attorney General Garland.  “Traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm.  The Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking will bring the full force of the Department to this fight.”

“Addressing human trafficking in Northern Ohio remains a top priority for our office and our law enforcement partners,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler.  “As a united front, law enforcement in Northern Ohio continues to aggressively pursue traffickers and deliver critical aid to victims.  This new plan, combined with grant funding awarded last fiscal year, will help us continue and improve our fight against human trafficking.”


In 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio secured a number of notable convictions and sentences against human traffickers, including:

In addition, to support the victims of human trafficking, various organizations in the Northern District of Ohio were awarded approximately $8.7 million in grant funding this fiscal year from the Department of Justice to provide services and aid, including:

Among other things, the Justice Department’s multi-year strategy to combat all forms of human trafficking will:

The department’s strategy will be implemented under the direction of the National Human Trafficking Coordinator designated by the Attorney General in accordance with the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017.

If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

To read the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, click here.

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