Municipality of Anchorage and State Department of Labor Convene Human Trafficking Task Force

Mayor's Corner

9/23/2015

ANCHORAGE- Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and Alaska State Department of Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas are convening a state-municipal task force to address human trafficking in Anchorage and Alaska. The task force is composed of government agencies, non-profits, and tribal entities, and will focus on enhanced civil and criminal law enforcement and regulatory efforts to reduce human trafficking.

“The fact that trafficking continues to exist is a reminder that even in our city, human beings are horribly exploited, their humanity and dignity assaulted and stolen,” said Mayor Berkowitz. “We will partner with the State and others to pursue, root out, and punish traffickers while making sure victims find sanctuary and justice.”

The first meeting of the task force is scheduled for September 28th. Invited participants include local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and members of the Ad Hoc NGO Working Group on sex trafficking in Alaska.

“Labor trafficking often involves the most violent and appalling abuses of workers’ rights. Only by working together can we reduce the incidence of labor trafficking in our community,” said Commissioner Drygas.

For more information, contact Nora Morse at (907) 343-7102.

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