 CCHT Marks 5 Years of Progress Against Human Trafficking
In October, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) observed its fifth anniversary—a milestone that underscores the Center’s growth, achievements, and unwavering commitment to combating sex trafficking and forced labor.
Launched in October 2020, the CCHT was established as the first DHS-wide coordination center dedicated to aligning counter-trafficking operations, victim protection, and prevention efforts. In just five years, the Center has grown from a small core team to four specialized expertise units, integrating expertise from across DHS components. This interagency collaboration has positioned the Center as a central hub for investigative leadership, victim assistance, training, and outreach.
Over the past half-decade, the Center has advanced its mission in several key areas. The Sex Trafficking Investigations Unit has strengthened large-scale event operations, working with law enforcement partners to protect vulnerable populations at high-profile public events like the Super Bowl and World Cup. The Forced Labor Investigations Unit has expanded efforts to enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and other trade authorities, holding businesses accountable for supply chain transparency. The Blue Campaign, DHS’s national public awareness initiative, has broadened its reach through partnerships with hotels, airlines, universities, and community organizations, equipping frontline professionals and the public with tools to recognize and report human trafficking.
The CCHT’s progress is not measured in numbers alone but in its impact on lives. Through its Victim Assistance Program Specialists and partnerships with victim advocate organizations, the Center continues to ensure that survivors receive trauma-informed, victim-centered care. At the same time, the CCHT prioritizes the well-being of its workforce, launching the IMPACTT program to help investigators manage the stress and secondary trauma often associated with exploitation cases.
This anniversary also coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the landmark legislation that continues to shape the national and global framework for addressing human trafficking. Together, these milestones remind us of the progress made and the challenges that remain.
As the CCHT looks toward the next five years, its focus is clear: strengthen investigations, expand survivor support, enhance prevention through education and outreach, and remain at the forefront of the global fight against human trafficking. The Center’s story is one of resilience, partnership, and mission-driven service — and its next chapter promises to build on that legacy.
Five years strong of advancing the fight against human trafficking; To look back on our achievements, click here.
Be Aware, Buy Smart: November Anti-Trafficking Insights
The leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and now the holiday shopping season is upon us. As you make wish lists and buy gifts for loved ones, you may not be aware of the global impact of your purchasing choices. Forced Labor is when individuals are compelled against their will to provide work or service through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. This form of human trafficking affects millions worldwide, and it is used to produce common goods you might find while shopping.
While U.S. law prohibits the importation of goods produced with forced labor, the complexity of the global supply chain makes it challenging to trace how products are made and sourced. As a result, you likely buy or consume items made from these materials every day, but knowing the common culprits of exploitative labor practices can help you be a responsible consumer.
To raise awareness of this type of trafficking, the U.S. Department of Labor maintains a list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor, which can be a valuable resource to guide shopping decisions. The list is a valuable resource, not only for information about types of affected goods and where they come from, but to also learn about forced labor prevention efforts and the opportunity to read survivor stories. The 2024 list highlights goods with the strongest ties to forced labor which include clothing, cocoa, and coffee.
By choosing to buy from ethical, transparent brands and avoiding products that may be produced with forced labor, you can help reduce demand for exploitative supply chains. We all have the ability to make an impact. This season let’s use our purchasing power as another tool to combat human trafficking.
Be Alert! Trafficking Prevention Tips for Retail Employees
We all have a role to play in preventing human trafficking during the busy holiday shopping season, especially if you work behind the counter. As retail employees, you observe and interact with the public every day, placing you in a unique position to notice indicators of human trafficking. Convenience retail employees, whose workplace can be a 24/7 operation, are important partners in combating human trafficking due to their presence in urban, suburban and rural communities across the country.
As a convenience or other retail employee, you can be instrumental in helping victims escape their trafficking situation and prevent traffickers from targeting more people by learning how to recognize and report suspected human trafficking. Blue Campaign’s Human Trafficking Awareness Guide for Convenience Retail Employees is designed to inform front-line convenience retail employees about human trafficking, the indicators that may help you recognize a potential victim, and ways to report suspicious activity while on the job.
Whether you are a shopper or retail employee, we all have a duty to raise awareness of human trafficking and make our communities safer, both this holiday season and beyond.
HSI Tacoma Targets Criminal Street Gang in Major Trafficking and Narcotics Operation
On Aug. 22, HSI Tacoma helped lead a major enforcement operation targeting several members of a violent criminal street gang engaged in large-scale narcotics distribution and commercial sex trafficking of women. The group used commercial air travel to expand and conceal their criminal enterprise, prompting coordination with the CCHT.
A Federal Air Marshal, serving as CCHT’s liaison to the Sex Trafficking Investigations Unit, provided critical support during the operation. HSI special agents executed numerous federal search and arrest warrants as part of the operation. Their efforts resulted in the execution of 13 federal arrest warrants and the seizure of significant contraband and assets, including controlled dangerous substances, nine vehicles and illegal proceeds totaling $111,524.
The success of this operation underscores the importance of interagency collaboration in dismantling complex trafficking and narcotics networks. By leveraging CCHT’s specialized expertise and resources, HSI Tacoma not only disrupted a dangerous gang but also safeguarded vulnerable women exploited through sex trafficking.
Read more about the case here.
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CCHT Leadership Meets with the CEO of Our Rescue
On Sept. 4, senior leadership from the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) met with Derek Benner, CEO of the non-governmental organization Our Rescue, to discuss opportunities for collaboration in the fight against human trafficking.
The meeting underscored a shared commitment to strengthening prevention, protection, and victim assistance efforts. CCHT leaders provided an overview of current initiatives, including ongoing training, outreach through the Blue Campaign, and enforcement strategies designed to dismantle human trafficking networks. Discussions emphasized the importance of aligning efforts across federal agencies, NGOs, and survivor-led organizations to maximize impact.
Mr. Benner, who advocated for the creation of the Center, highlighted Our Rescue’s international footprint and its focus on providing survivor care and supporting law enforcement with actionable intelligence. He noted the value of public-private partnerships in advancing anti-trafficking goals, particularly in identifying victims earlier and connecting them with trauma-informed services.
Both CCHT and Mr. Benner agreed on the critical role of survivor voices in shaping effective policy and programming. The meeting also touched on expanding awareness campaigns, developing joint training opportunities, and leveraging technology to enhance detection and reporting.
The meeting reflected a unified message: that collaboration between government and victim-centered organizations is essential to protecting vulnerable populations and advancing justice for survivors.
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