John,

There are two major types of human trafficking – one of the cruelest crimes we deal with in law enforcement.

Sex trafficking has deservedly attracted wide public awareness and attention. And, though we still have much work to do, I am pleased with the progress we are making in Oregon, both in recognizing and prosecuting this horrible crime.

But the other aspect of human trafficking – labor trafficking – has been sorely overlooked and under-prosecuted. There are several ways labor trafficking is carried out, but it typically takes the form of forced labor under inhumane conditions with little or no pay.

I will leave no stone unturned to end this heinous crime. Last month, on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, my office announced a new task force to focus specifically on labor trafficking.

Labor trafficking disproportionately affects women and people of color, but any demographic in any corner of our state can fall victim. Since it's particularly complex to discover, investigate, and prosecute, I hope our broad coalition of law enforcement and community leaders will provide frontline perspectives to find better ways to raise public awareness and combat these crimes.

Our work will also focus on empowering victims and survivors, who, understandably, may be afraid to speak up about their work conditions. They may not even realize they're the victims of labor trafficking and may not know where they can safely turn to.

I will be sure to update you as we work hard to tackle this issue and I am glad our Labor Trafficking Task Force takes us a step closer to ensuring the justice system forgets no one.

More soon,