Rescue and Restore Coalition

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) is one of the designated agencies responsible for helping victims of human trafficking. They assist victims in becoming eligible to receive benefits and services so that that they may begin to safely rebuild their lives. To this end, HSS developed the Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Campaign to increase public awareness and help to identify and assist victims of trafficking in the U.S.

Rescue & Restore’s mission is to increase the number of identified trafficking victims and to offer services and benefits to those victims. This is accomplished by educating law enforcement, social service providers and other front-line agencies that come in contact with potential victims. By dedicating time and resources to outreach activities, more and more victims are being identified and receiving help.

A vital component of the Rescue & Restore campaign is the development of local coalitions. Through the partnering of national, local and community agencies on the ground, we are developing strategies for combating human trafficking and identifying those at risk.

Coalition partners include:

• Local government
• Civic groups
• Churches
• Ethnic/Immigrant groups
• Women's organizations
• Labor organizations
• Immigration organizations
• Community health providers
• Faith-based organizations and other non-profits
• Social service organizations

Trafficking Hope has been a member of the Rescue & Restore Coalition since 2009, initially receiving funds as a sub-grantee of the Rescue and Restore grant. Through this partnership we have developed a media campaign to promote public awareness via billboards, radio spots, print media and bus shelter ads. We have also produced a public awareness video for training purposes and developed this website to reach out to people who are seeking help. Trafficking Hope is a proud partner of the Rescue and Restore Campaign. Click here to visit the Rescue and Restore Coalition's website.

The Taskforce

In 2007 the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement received a federal grant to educate law enforcement about human trafficking.  Out of this grant funding, two human trafficking task forces were created; one in the Middle District of Louisiana and the other in the Eastern District of Louisiana.  The Eastern District’s Task Force is heavily aided by the Jefferson and Orleans Parish Sheriffs Offices and the Jefferson Parish Vice Squad. Two sheriffs from these parishes have received statewide commission to investigate and make arrests in human trafficking cases.  Through the efforts of these two human trafficking task forces there have been several human trafficking victims who have been rescued, and their human traffickers currently await prosecution.

The composition of each of the human trafficking task forces includes members of local, state, and federal law enforcement, legal entities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  These entities work together as a team in order to eradicate human trafficking in Louisiana.  Through their efforts they strive to educate members of the community about human trafficking.  The task force members also collaborate in order to better identify human trafficking victims and provide these victims with the various physical, mental, and emotional services they need, while also apprehending their traffickers. 

If you suspect a case of human trafficking please call one of the following numbers: the national human trafficking hotline at 1.888.3737.888; the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department at 225.389.5061; or the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department at 504.364.5481 or 504.363.5500.