401 Hungerford Drive, First floor conference room, Rockville
As prepared
Good morning. Today, I join Governor Hogan in announcing important additional steps to stop human trafficking in the state of Maryland and right here in Montgomery County.
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Human traffickers engage in fraud as well as physical, psychological and other types of coercion.
And, victims of human trafficking are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. That makes it even more difficult for them to escape from being trafficked.
For years, Montgomery County has been in the forefront when it comes to combatting human trafficking.
Last year, I signed legislation to transform the county’s Human Trafficking Task Force into an established committee.
The committee structure ensures continuity for the work the Task Force began. It promotes our ability to reduce and ultimately prevent human trafficking in Montgomery County.
Our Montgomery County Committee works in concert with the Governor’s Human Trafficking Prevention Task force. We coordinate educational and legislative efforts.
I especially would like to thank Senator Susan Lee and Delegates Morales and Dumais for their work on the state level.
Locally, the Montgomery County Human Trafficking Prevention Committee is working on three initiatives:
First, the Committee is surveying hotels and motels to learn more about how they train and educate employees about human trafficking. Results of the survey will be used to determine how we can further support their efforts.
Second, the Committee is enhancing victim services by coordinating “on scene” crisis intervention with the Montgomery County Police Department.
Third, the Committee is reviewing and strengthening current body-works and massage regulations and laws. The goal is to increase opportunities to curb – and eventually close – illicit businesses.
At the same time, Montgomery County Police are actively enforcing laws against human trafficking.
Less than two months ago, Montgomery County police arrested three individuals on human trafficking and prostitution charges.
Those individuals operated and/or owned four massage parlors in Montgomery County. These parlors are now closed.
Further, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office continues to hold human traffickers accountable for their actions. The State’s Attorney’s Office works closely with the police department to bring these offenders to justice.
In the past year, the State’s Attorney’s office has won two major convictions in separate cases of human trafficking.
As a result, two individuals previously involved in trafficking received lengthy sentences.
Montgomery County will continue to work diligently with area jurisdictions and the state of Maryland to stop human trafficking.
Working together, we are committed to increasing protections for current and potential victims. And, we are committed to capturing and prosecuting those who seek to engage in human trafficking in Montgomery County or the state of Maryland.
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