The City of Phoenix is taking steps to address human trafficking. During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the city received the Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) Designation, indicating that over 90 percent of its employees have been trained to recognize and report signs of human trafficking. As of Tuesday, 13,617 employees had completed the training, according to the city's news release.
Mayor Kate Gallego has been vocal on the issue, stating, according to the City of Phoenix, "Human trafficking can impact any community, and Phoenix has demonstrated its continued commitment to eradicating this crime." The training provided to municipal workers is part of the city's initiative to ensure employees are informed and equipped to recognize and report potential signs of commercial sexual exploitation.
Rooted in efforts stretching back to 2013 with the establishment of the Mayor's Human Trafficking Task Force, the Compass Plan was developed, targeting law enforcement, victim services, awareness, and training. “Empowering ourselves with the knowledge to identify and prevent human trafficking is one step in keeping our communities safe from this horrible crime," said Councilman Jim Waring, the chair of the Mayor's Human Trafficking Task Force, as reported by the City of Phoenix.
For further details on Phoenix's efforts to address human trafficking, the city's approach is available on their website. The commitments outlined in their Compass Plan aim to provide a framework for other cities to follow in their efforts to protect and support their communities.
