Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday, Jan. 16 issued a proclamation designating January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in New York State. This happened as New York State agencies involved in the state’s response to human trafficking undertake efforts to raise awareness throughout the month.
“As co-chair of the Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking, our agency is committed to assisting individuals who have been subjected to trafficking and continues to work closely with providers, local human trafficking liaisons, regional anti-trafficking task forces, and state agencies to ensure access to services for survivors,” Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said.
“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is taking proactive steps to combat human trafficking and support survivors, strengthening anti-trafficking laws and programs while increasing access to survivor-centered services that help survivors rebuild their lives,” she continued.
Under Hochul’s leadership New York State has taken proactive steps to combat human trafficking and support survivors. New York has strengthened anti-trafficking laws and programs while increasing access to services that help survivors rebuild their lives.
In December 2025 Hochul signed two bills aimed at assisting survivors of human trafficking, among others. One bill will help survivors of crimes like human trafficking, or domestic violence, get out from under debt they were coerced to take on by their trafficker.
The other bill provides immunity from prosecution for certain individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of or witnesses to a crime and who report such crime or assist in the investigation or prosecution.
At the Governor’s direction, trafficking survivors have been added as eligible populations for supportive housing under the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. These programs provide funding to construct and operate supportive housing developments across the state for formerly homeless individuals and families.
The 14 state agencies that are part of the Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking, which is co-chaired by OTDA and DCJS, all play a critical role in working to prevent trafficking and identifying and assisting survivors of human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a serious crime that requires a coordinated, survivor-centered response,” New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said.
“As co-chair of the Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking, DCJS works with our partners to identify victims, connect survivors to critical services, and strengthen trauma-informed responses across the criminal justice system,” Rosado continued. “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York continues to advance prevention, accountability, and support for survivors statewide.”
The agencies involved in the task force use data-driven public health approaches to identify those with increased vulnerability to being trafficked and implement targeted prevention strategies. This work includes developing outreach materials—including a trafficking awareness poster with examples that is available in 12 languages, and a 30-minute training video—to help individuals recognize tactics that have been used to force labor and inform them of service providers who can provide assistance.
The task force routinely provides training to organizations throughout the state to raise awareness of human trafficking and to help ensure services are client-centered and trauma informed.
OTDA and DCJS play a key role in helping trafficked individuals access services. DCJS receives referrals from law enforcement agencies and established social and legal services providers and, in consultation with OTDA, confirms individuals as having been trafficked. The confirmation process links individuals with access to critical services and support.
In 2025, 379 individuals were confirmed, 129 for sex trafficking, 204 for labor trafficking, and 48 for both sex and labor trafficking.
In addition to collaborating with state partners, OTDA and DCJS provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement and other stakeholders on human trafficking.
OTDA also manages the Response to Human Trafficking Program, which allocates nearly $2.4 million annually to community-based providers for survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services for trafficked persons, including: emergency needs, such as food or clothing; shelter/rental assistance; medical and mental health care; and legal services. RHTP focuses on those individuals who would otherwise not have access to needed services, including those who are not eligible for public benefits.
The New York State Office of Victim Services funds and supports more than 200 victim assistance programs across the state that provide essential services, such as crisis counseling, support groups, case management, emergency shelter, civil legal help, and relocation assistance, among other assistance, to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes, and their families. More information can be found at www.ovs.ny.gov/connect.