Co-Chairs Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston) and Hudson Valley regional host Assemblyman John McGowan (R,C-Rockland) brought experts and officials together to discuss the impact of human trafficking in the Hudson Valley. Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) and Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-14) were also in attendance.

Human trafficking cases are difficult to quantify as so many victims remain unknown. According to the 2022 Report from the New York State Interagency Task Force, which was only recently published this year, there were 249 confirmed cases, while the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 467 cases of human trafficking involving 622 victims. Most of these victims were sex trafficked.

“Human trafficking is a crime with so many silent victims who are lost with little hope. For the hundreds who are identified in our state annually, how many more remain undiscovered? As a task force, we will explore, with the help of experts and stakeholders, what more New York can do to combat human trafficking and support survivors of these horrific crimes. The many perspectives shared around the state will help us develop legislation and policy recommendations to ensure more people are helped and do not fall victim to human trafficking,” said Maher, ranking Minority on the Committee on Social Services and sitting member of the Committees on Children and Families and Mental Health.

“Our Task Force on Human Trafficking is as much a fact-finding mission as it is to raise awareness within our communities that these crimes against vulnerable women and children exist right here in our state. Hearing from individuals from many disciplines working to help victims and prevent trafficking is going to give us a better understanding of the true problem at hand. No matter their walk in life, people deserve to be safe and free. I hope the legislation we develop will move New York state that much closer to a place where trafficking is brought to light so it cannot thrive in darkness,” said Assemblywoman Walsh, who is a child advocate in her home county and sits on the committees on Education and Mental Health.

“The heartbreaking reality is that human trafficking continues to devastate communities across our state, often going unnoticed. The recently released report sheds light on the magnitude of this issue, but it's clear that many victims remain in the shadows. As a former special victims’ prosecutor in both my home county of Rockland and the Bronx, I know firsthand that we need comprehensive strategies to not only identify and support survivors but also prevent future trafficking and dismantle the networks that perpetuate this inhuman exploitation by involving local police departments, District Attorney’s Offices and local social service programs to help protect our most vulnerable,” said McGowan.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in our relentless fight to end human trafficking, protect victims, and hold traffickers accountable. This issue can be found in every community and we must continue to make a conscious effort to address and combat it,” said Slater. “Although there are various policies that have been put in place, there is still more to be done to prevent and help those impacted by human trafficking.”

Among the stakeholders present were Putnam County District Attorney Robert V. Tendy; Brittney Kessel, Deputy Unit Chief, Special Victims Unit, Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office; Town of Somers Supervisor Robert Scorrano; Dr. Marco F. Pochintesta, superintendent of Pearl River Union Free School District; Dr. Dwight Bonk, superintendent, Wappingers Central School District; Commissioner Michael Iapoce, Ulster County Social Services and officers and investigators from New York State Troopers-Troop K and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, representatives from the Orange County Probation Department-Crime Victims Counseling, Dutchess County Task Force Against Human Trafficking; YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester; Catholic Charities of Rockland County; Rockland County Department of Social Services; My Sisters’ Place and the Immigrant and Refugees Services Division of Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York.

The Minority task force thanks its venue partner, Finkelstein Memorial Library, for providing the space for this important discussion to occur. Previous meetings of the task force occurred in July in Suffolk and Nassau counties, in September in the Capital Region and earlier in October in Western New York and Central New York. Additional task force meetings are planned for New York City and the upper Hudson Valley later in the month.