(The Center Square) — Virginia leaders have provided an update on an anti-human trafficking campaign, including legislation to assist victims and identify elements of the crime.
Operation Silence Shattered began on Jan. 1 and is an awareness initiative aiming to stop human trafficking “before it happens” by teaching communities and college campuses how it starts and how to recognize and report signs of its activity. It also seeks to identify and provide services to victims.
The campaign involves a coalition of government agencies, non-governmental organizations and law enforcement. It has already reached more than 3,700 people, according to a press release from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office.
The Human Trafficking Institute has provided specialized training to over 750 law enforcement officers since 2023 when it began a partnership with the commonwealth.
“Through the Silence Shattered partnerships with law enforcement across the Commonwealth, 21 arrests have been made, that includes traffickers and sex buyers, and 12 victims have been identified and have been offered services,” according to the release.
However, the governor and others at the briefing cautioned that awareness alone will not solve the problem and urged that more action be taken.
“In Virginia, we are relentlessly pursuing those who exploit the vulnerable. We have strengthened our efforts at every level—coordinating, enhancing, and centralizing our fight to dismantle trafficking networks and deliver justice. Our goal is clear: to provide a victim-centered, trauma-informed response that combats human trafficking across the Commonwealth,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “I am proud of our progress, but we will not rest until every trafficker is held accountable and every survivor has the support they need to rebuild their lives.”
The administration has instituted several programs to combat human trafficking in Virginia. Still, there are a handful of bills before the General Assembly now that are targeting trafficking in new ways.
Legislation includes bills requiring training for owners of short-term rental properties; training to require those licensed by the commonwealth that sell or handle alcohol; legislation that would provide victims of human trafficking a pathway to getting certain convictions expunged from their records; and legislation that would enable nonprofit organizations to supply informational materials on trafficking to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and the Department of Transportation at no cost and would also require the department to supply all interstate rest areas in Virginia with copies “readily visible and accessible to the public.”
Each chamber must pass its bills by the end of the day on Tuesday for them to pass, as Tuesday is the last day bills can be sent to the other chamber. Several of the bills mentioned above are still in committee.
