Las Vegas—Governor Brian Sandoval has announced a collaboration with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign. This partnership aims to combat human trafficking, which affects over 20 million victims globally. The Blue Campaign was established in 2010 to serve as a unified voice against this issue.
Governor Sandoval declared January as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. He stated, “I am proud to proclaim January as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. By working together we can help end the suffering and give a voice to the victims.” He further expressed pride in Nevada being the first state to partner with DHS’s Blue Campaign for a pilot program focused on training state employees to identify signs of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is described as modern-day slavery, including sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude. Despite its prevalence, many cases go unnoticed each year. DMV Director Terri Albertson noted that the DMV interacts with nearly all of Nevada’s population, presenting an opportunity to raise awareness about human trafficking. “The DMV has the unique opportunity to interact with nearly one hundred percent of the population here; something hardly found in any other venue,” she said.
Representatives from government and law enforcement attended today’s meeting in Las Vegas to support raising awareness and preventing human trafficking crimes in Nevada. Mick McKeown, Executive Director of Blue Campaign, emphasized the importance of public education on recognizing and reporting human trafficking: “Human trafficking is a serious issue happening across America, and it is imperative the general public knows how to recognize and report this crime.”
For those who suspect human trafficking activities, they are encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or visit their website for more information.
