Over the past several weeks, Oklahomans may have seen billboard messages reading, ‘You Are Not Alone’. It is part of a new initiative to streamline and strengthen Oklahoma’s ability to help victims of Human Trafficking. The aim of the project is to educate Oklahomans about Human Trafficking and empower victims with resources and support to aid them in recovery.
“Human Trafficking activity is an epidemic across the United States,” said OBN Spokesman Mark Woodward. “Human Trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain a labor or commercial sex act. In simple terms, human trafficking is the exploitation of someone for the profit or benefit of someone else.” —OBN Spokesman Mark Woodward
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics created a Human Trafficking Unit in 2011 in response to the alarming rise of human trafficking cases occurring in Oklahoma.
“In 2011, Agents informed me that they were receiving intelligence information that the drug trafficking groups were also involved in human trafficking. We petitioned the state legislature and were granted the jurisdictional authority to investigate human trafficking. The bureau now has over a decade of success in enforcing and arresting the perpetrators of this most hideous crime. As I’ve always said, if we can save one human trafficking victim in the state, then the effort will be worth it!” —Senator Darrell Weaver (Former Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics)
Since the inception of OBN’s Human Trafficking Unit in 2011, the agency has recovered 141 Adult victims, 58 Juvenile victims, and made 118 Human Trafficking arrests. For 2024, OBN has already made 13 Human Trafficking arrests, recovered 30 Adult victims, and 2 Juvenile victims.
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ Human Trafficking Unit spear-headed the ‘You Are Not Alone’ project with the critical assistance of numerous state and local agencies and service partners. ‘You Are Not Alone’ speaks to all demographics who may exhibit traits such as lack of confidence or self-worth, substance abuse, socioeconomic issues, and varying types of traumas, making them susceptible to being a victim of Human Trafficking.
“Human Trafficking presents several investigative challenges,” according to OBN Director Donnie Anderson. “This includes language barriers, cultural biases toward government or law enforcement, and the victims’ fear of their assailant. Additionally, victims often do not believe they are victims or even know where to turn for help. But, through this initiative, we will let victims know they can safely speak out and recovery resources are available.” —OBN Director Donnie Anderson
The ‘You Are Not Alone’ initiative consists of posters that will be displayed in communal areas of participating entities, including schools, universities, malls, convenience stores, and health care facilities supplemented by small blue stickers in bathrooms at these locations. A QR code is displayed on both the posters and stickers, directing inquiries to the Human Trafficking section of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics website. There, visitors will find information about Human Trafficking, vulnerabilities to Human Trafficking, and signs of Human Trafficking. Visitors can also anonymously report Human Trafficking. Most importantly, the QR code directs visitors to resources available to them by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, State certified Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) who specialize in supporting Human Trafficking Victims, as well as additional information from other Oklahoma coalitions and commissions. Schools and businesses wanting to have posters and stickers to display at their locations are encouraged to contact OBN.
“As Governor, keeping Oklahomans safe is my number one job,” said Governor Stitt. “We have seen an alarming increase in human trafficking cases, we know much of it ties back to the crisis at the southern border. Traffickers and criminals are taking advantage, but we are not going to let them get away with it in Oklahoma. Helping support and promote the ‘YOU ARE NOT ALONE’ initiative is just the next step of my administration’s commitment to protecting our communities, bringing perpetrators to justice, and uplifting survivors. At the end of the day, we are in it together to make Oklahoma the safest state in the country.” —Governor Kevin Stitt
Partners and contributors to the ‘You Are Not Alone’ initiative include:
Agencies
Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
Department of Corrections (DOC)
Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement (ABLE)
Oklahoma Attorney General (OAG)
Texoma HIDTA
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse and Services (OKDMHSAS)