On the Hunt with the Arkansas State Police as they help human trafficking victims with Operation HOPE
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Arkansas State Police officials said they are offering services and fresh starts for victims of human trafficking as part of the agency’s Operation HOPE efforts.
Officials said this month alone their campaign in Hot Springs has been able to help seven women believed to be victims of trafficking while also identifying another 25 local victims.
State police say Operation HOPE, or Help and Opportunity to Prevent Exploitation, aims to make more social services available to these victims to help them break free of potential crime surrounding trafficking.
Working with members of the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council, the ASP recently conducted a day-long recovery operation, offering victims services including food, lodging, on-site medical services, counseling, therapy and drug rehabilitation.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and service providers worked together in this effort, with intelligence teams identifying victims and suspects.
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Authorities said they removed three children and an adult from exploitative and unstable environments ahead of the single-day push.
“Not only do we hunt the wicked, but we also seek out the wounded,” Major Stacie Rhoads, ASP CID commander, said.
A February effort called Operation HART in Jonesboro saw 30 women identified as victims with five being offered services by northeast Arkansas agencies.
ASP Director Colonel Mike Hagar believes the effort demonstrates the state’s commitment to fighting back against human trafficking.
“These concerted efforts will significantly contribute to making Arkansas a place where human trafficking is not tolerated,” Hagar said. “The dedicated law enforcement community in Arkansas is fully committed to approaching the grim reality of human trafficking with empathy, aiming to rescue victims from the shadows and provide them with the support and care they need to recover.”
Among the agencies involved in the effort were the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, Hot Springs Police Department, Garland County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Harrison Police Department, Arkansas Fusion Center, along with victim advocates and medical personnel from the Regional Intervention of Sexual Exploitation “RISE,” The Genesis Project, Into the Light, ACASA, Saline County Safe Haven, River Valley Medical Wellness, and the NWA Forensic Nurse Team.
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Anyone with information on suspected human trafficking activity in the state is asked to connect with the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council at ReportHT@ASP.Arkansas.gov or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
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