Q&A
Identification of young victims in human trafficking cases
1:02:56
ยท
68 sec
Council Member Salaam inquires about the NYPD's efforts to identify young victims of human trafficking during investigations. Lieutenant Picarello provides information on the number of minor trafficking victims recovered and discusses the challenges in identifying victims.
- 27 minor trafficking victims recovered in the previous year
- Investigations are complex, with victims often reluctant to self-identify
- Difficulties in capturing comprehensive data on suspected minor trafficking victims
Yusef Salaam
1:02:56
I definitely would like to see that.
1:02:59
To what extent is the NYPD identifying young victims of human trafficking in the course of its investigations?
1:03:07
Does the human I mean, does the department also have any data available on youth identified as potential human trafficking victims?
Joseph Picarello
1:03:16
As far as, identifying minor sex trafficking victims, last year alone, we've recovered 27 minor trafficking victims.
1:03:30
As far as, you know, these investigations are very complicated.
1:03:34
So as you get a, law enforcement referral, respond to a hospital, and, although we suspect it, sometimes, you know, the individual is reluctant to identify as a trafficking victim.
1:03:49
As far as capturing that data and and saying specifically, this is a, minor sex trafficking victim, other than the data that I'm providing you today with the 20 7 minors that were recovered, I don't have anything else to, provide.