Governor Hobbs Lights Arizona Blue to Support Human Trafficking Prevention

PHOENIX⁠ — Throughout January, the Arizona State Capitol Executive Tower will be lit blue in recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month and Arizona’s ongoing efforts to combat this crime, protect victims’ rights, and bring greater public awareness and attention to trafficking.

“Arizona is steadfastly committed to combating trafficking through partnerships with agencies and sectors across the state,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “I’m grateful to the Governor’s Council to Combat Trafficking in Arizona, our dedicated law enforcement agencies, and community leaders for their collective efforts to identify and assist victims, hold lawbreakers accountable, and offer vital resources to all impacted. Together, we can end trafficking.”

Human Trafficking Prevention Month is a national campaign aimed at raising awareness about human trafficking—a form of exploitation that uses force, fraud, or coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex acts. The campaign also focuses on educating the public on identifying and preventing this crime. Human trafficking can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, or economic status. Globally, an estimated 27 million people are exploited for labor, services, and commercial sex. In Arizona, the average age at which survivors first encounter sex trafficking is 15.7, highlighting the need for increased awareness and prevention efforts to protect vulnerable youth.

Since its establishment in 2014, the Governor’s Council to Combat Human Trafficking in Arizona, administered by the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith, and Family (GOYFF), has made significant strides in raising public awareness, providing victim services, and collecting data. The Council has trained over 65,000 professionals and community members statewide, including individuals from social service organizations, medical providers, government agencies, law enforcement, and education sectors. Additionally, the efforts of the Statewide Human Trafficking Task Forces provide essential support to their communities and help shape the Council’s goals and priorities.

Governor Hobbs is committed to making Arizona a zero-tolerance state for all forms of trafficking by protecting the rights of victims and restoring their freedom while holding traffickers and buyers accountable. In the most recent Fiscal Year, 2025, she signed House Bill 2897, reestablishing last fiscal year’s Anti-Human Tracking Grant Fund program through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS allocated $3.7 million in grant awards to 17 law enforcement agencies across the state and allocated $2 million to support the Arizona Human Trafficking Tip Line (1-877-4-AZTIPS). Arizona is the first state in the nation to implement a comprehensive human trafficking tip line, a collaborative effort between the Arizona Counter Terrorism and Information Center (ACTIC) and the Arizona State University Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research (ASU STIR), reinforcing Arizona’s stance against this issue.

“Thank you to Governor Hobbs for proclaiming January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month and lighting the Arizona State Capitol Executive Tower blue to promote awareness,” said Tonya Hamilton, GOYFF Director. “Arizona has made remarkable progress in the fight against trafficking, and I look forward to future strategies and initiatives that will not only prevent these heinous crimes but also ensure justice for victims.”

Get Involved

The Arizona State Capitol Executive Tower was lit blue starting the evening of January 1 and will remain illuminated throughout the month. Agencies, businesses, and communities are encouraged to get involved.
Social media: Use #EndTrafficking to raise awareness and connect Arizonans to additional information, training, and support. Access the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Blue Campaign Toolkits: Arizona-Specific | National

Click here to view other events and initiatives the DHS Blue Campaign hosts.

Facilitated by the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network (AATN), the GOYFF is hosting a free Human Trafficking 101 training on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM for Arizona residents to learn about human trafficking, including its myths and misconceptions, and explore how they can get involved. Register here.

To report suspected trafficking behavior, or if you or someone you know may be a victim of trafficking, call the Arizona Human Trafficking Tip Line at 1-877-4-AZTIPS or visit azactic.gov.

Click here to view the Human Trafficking Prevention Month 2025 proclamation.

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