Human Trafficking
Where to get help
If you know someone you believe may be a victim of exploitation, please reach out to the following resources:
Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes, a local non-profit organization, provides free advocacy and case management services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking throughout Seneca, Yates, and Ontario counties. SHFL advocates can help victims access emergency shelter, medical care, mental health counseling, and financial assistance as well as address other safety needs. They can provide accompaniment to court, medical appointments and other essential appointments as well as help in applying for Office of Victim Services benefits. For more information regarding advocacy services, visit their website or call their 24-hour hotline at 800-247-7273.
As the nation's non-profit clearinghouse and comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention of and recovery from child victimization, NCMEC leads the fight against abduction, abuse and exploitation - because every child deserves a safe childhood.
At www.missingkids.org, you can report child sex abuse imagery and seek assistance in the removal of online exploitation via the Cyber TipLine. There are resources for survivors of sexual abuse material and trafficking, educational programs for professionals and children, and much more. Look for more information about the NetSmartz and KidSmartz programs.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is committed to supporting survivors of human trafficking and professionals who serve this population by providing state-of-the-art preventative measures in identifying and servicing exploited children in New York state.
OCFS oversees the Safe Harbours: NY program, also known as the Anti-Trafficking Task Force, that exists in all 3 of the CACFL serviced counties. (Safe Harbours task force operates under the slogan “Stamp It Out” in Ontario County and “Unlock Your Voice” in Seneca County.)
Safe Harbour: NY is a program that implements a system-level approach within existing child welfare and allied youth-serving systems, including Runaway-Homeless Youth programs (RHY), Probation, Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS), Youth Bureaus, and other critical partners. This approach leverages existing system strengths to create a more effective and efficient response to youth who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation or trafficking, or who are vulnerable to it.
Love146’s vision is the end of child trafficking and exploitation. Nothing less. We believe this is only possible through a bold, broad vision that cannot be achieved by only one person, organization, perspective, or approach. Love146 programs in the United States include Survivor Care and Prevention Education through our child trafficking and exploitation prevention curriculum, Not a Number.
Not a Number is an interactive child trafficking and exploitation prevention curriculum designed to provide youth with information and skills in a manner that inspires them to make safe choices. Youth learn to identify and utilize healthy support systems that may decrease their vulnerabilities. Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes employs several staff members certified to facilitate this curriculum. Please reach out to SHFLNY for more information about bringing the program to your school or youth organization.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. The Trafficking Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the appropriate authorities in certain cases.
The toll-free phone and SMS text lines and live online chat function are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Help is available in English or Spanish, or in more than 200 additional languages through an on-call interpreter.
Shared Hope International is dedicated to bringing an end to sex trafficking through a three-pronged approach – prevent, restore and bring justice. Prevention efforts include the training of professionals in the field of child abuse, development of awareness campaigns, and the collaboration of experts and resources. Restore processes includes offering programs that support safe homes, medical care, education, vocational training, therapy, and outreach and intervention services for survivors. The Shared Hope Institute for Justice & Advocacy is a center for training, research and advocacy that gathers and concentrates the power of Shared Hope’s programs under one roof.
Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to develop general awareness trainings, as well as specific educational resources to help reduce victimization within vulnerable populations.
Additionally, you can download Ontario County’s Stamp It Out App. It’s free and available where smart phone apps are offered.