Human trafficking report identifies shortcomings in CT’s response system

Police officers, nonprofits and state agencies are seeking better ways to help human trafficking victims in the wake of a new report detailing the weaknesses in Connecticut’s judicial system, law enforcement, child welfare agency and human services organizations.

The report, released Tuesday by the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce of the Greater Hartford Region, listed several major findings. Community services are backlogged. The system is disconnected across the state. Specialized training for professionals is limited. Victims hesitate to trust and collaborate with law enforcement. And the criminal justice system and court cases against perpetrators can drag on for extended periods of time.

Erin Williamson, the chief programs and strategy officer of Love146, which serves children across the state who have been trafficked, said victims need specialized help from professionals who have been trained in helping people who have gone through this type of trauma.