PHOENIX — Arizona Governor Doug Ducey today joined members of the Arizona Human Trafficking Council to announce the launch of a statewide multi-media campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking and provide resources to all Arizonans.
The campaign will include the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center Tip Line to report any signs of criminal or suspicious labor and sex trafficking activity from across the state. Hotline staff will act to contact the necessary law enforcement officials and proper jurisdictions, ensuring victims and/or potential victims are being safely located and supported in real time. The campaign will also include the nationally recognized materials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS)’s Blue Campaign.
“It can’t be overstated—human trafficking is real, it is pervasive and it’s an issue Arizona takes seriously,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Council and state agencies, Arizona’s youth, our tribal nations, and our entire state are able to join the fight in combating this horrific issue. Anyone can be a victim, but together we can ensure we are doing all we can to protect victims and stop human trafficking throughout our state.”
This campaign was developed by the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) and the Arizona Human Trafficking Council, in partnership with the USDHS.
“Arizona has become a national leader in the fight to end trafficking,” said Human Trafficking Council co-chair and Senior Director of the McCain Institute, Claire Sechler Merkel. “I want to thank Governor Ducey for his steadfast support of the work of this Council. Thank you to each of my fellow Council members, and our partners across Arizona for their dedication and creativity in finding workable solutions to prevent trafficking, increase prosecutions of perpetrators, and support victims as we strive to end human trafficking in our state.”
This initiative comes ahead of the 2023 Super Bowl to educate Arizonans on how to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. While human trafficking can occur at any time and at any place throughout the world, Arizona is grateful for the partnership with the NFL Host Committee for joining the Council in this opportunity to educate and raise awareness about preventing and addressing this heinous crime.
“Arizona is committed to preventing trafficking activity throughout every corner of our state and providing victims with the support they need,” said Arizona Human Trafficking Council co-chair Maria Cristina Fuentes. “We are grateful to all of our partners making this work possible, but especially the McCain Institute who has supported the work of Council for the last 10 years, worked to train professionals throughout our state, and continues to invest in prevention, intervention, and services."
The McCain Institute works to develop and deploy strategic initiatives that secure justice for victims, build the capacity of trafficking response networks, facilitate leadership from trafficking survivors, leverage data analytics to inform trafficking interventions, and cultivate emerging best practices in the field through learning convenings. These efforts have aided in Arizona becoming a national leader in the fight to end trafficking.
This campaign was made possible through the support of the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family, the Arizona Department of Child Safety, the Arizona State Lottery, the Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Department of Tourism, the Arizona Department of Economic Security, and the McCain Institute.
Learn more about the Arizona-specific Blue Campaign and download the toolkit HERE.
To report trafficking or get help in Arizona, call 1-877-4AZ-TIPS, or submit an anonymous tip HERE.
# # #