Impact: Over 400 U.S. local and 60 national organizations have joined the Rescue & Restore coalition to assist in identifying trafficking victims and raising awareness. Since April 2004, HHS more than doubled the number of certifications provided to human trafficking victims so they can receive benefits and services. The hotline has received more than 2,100 calls from intermediaries, possible victims and the public; more than 25 percent of these calls have resulted in referrals to local social service agencies that provide support and services to trafficking victims. Many of these referrals involve leads to potential victims. Over 100 hotline tips on possible cases of human trafficking have been referred to law enforcement for investigation.

Tipping Point: Trafficking victims will not be found in significant numbers until Americans gain a greater awareness of the horrors of trafficking, understand how to spot potential victims and know what to do if they encounter a victim. Increasing awareness through ongoing public outreach is central to the campaign. Rescue & Restore drives home the message to 'look beneath the surface' to recognize a potential trafficking situation. HHS distributed more than 720,000 campaign materials to coalition partners. The Web site (www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking) is a centralized source for resources related to the issue of trafficking. More than 85,000 visitors have logged onto the trafficking Web site to receive information since the campaign's launch.

Replication: HHS launched Rescue & Restore with press conferences attended by coalition partners in three pilot U.S. cities. Since then, Rescue & Restore launch events have been replicated in nine key U.S. cities resulting in more than 75.9 million audience impressions to date. In addition, HHS/United Nations television public service announcements highlighting the problem of human trafficking and promoting the hotline have aired in 24 U.S. markets on 39 stations (230 airings, 5.1 million viewers). Full-day training programs in each launch city are helping Rescue & Restore local coalition partners learn how to replicate and sustain the campaign in their regions.

Sustainability: HHS is forming a nationwide network of coalition partners, developing resource materials for use by coalition members, and generating extensive media coverage to ensure that this campaign is sustained for years to come. HHS has also formed a nationwide network of local service providers ready to help trafficking victims recover from their ordeal and rebuild their lives. HHS' training programs and ongoing campaign e-mail newsletter alerts are not only helping coalition partners learn about this issue and how to extend the campaign in their regions, but are also motivating them to sustain these important outreach efforts.

Position in the Human Trafficking Mosaic of Solutions:

Factor: Vulnerability of High-Risk Populations

Principle: Ensuring Law for All

Contact Information:
Name: Steve Wagner - Director, Trafficking in Persons Program, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mailing address: 370 L''Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20447 USA
Country: United States
Email: swagner@acf.hhs.gov
Tel: 202-260-1853
Fax: (202) 401-0981
Website: www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking

Organization Size: HHS has thousands of employees at the Washington, D.C. headquarters as well as in 10 regional offices throughout the United States. A small fraction of employees work on this campaign.