Governor's Council on Human and Sex Trafficking

Background & Purpose:

Human traffickers utilize coercion, force, and fraud to force victims into servitude and commercial prostitution. Traffickers lure their victims with promises of honest work opportunities, safe housing, and the opportunity of a better life, then exploit these individuals in numerous ways, including street prostitution, illicit massage parlors, brothels, and online advertising, in order to enhance the traffickers’ economic position. Indeed, human trafficking generates an estimated $150 billion in illegal revenues each year.  There is no typical victim and there is no typical trafficker. Victims of human trafficking can be of any race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Likewise, human traffickers can be gang members, diplomats, business owners, labor brokers, farmers, or fishermen. Alaska is not immune to human trafficking and in fact studies show that Alaska Native youth are more likely to be disproportionately affected by human trafficking.

The Governor’s Council on Human and Sex Trafficking was created in Administrative Order 328 to combat the exploitation of Alaskans.

Members:

• One representative from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.
• The Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services, or designee.
• The Alaska Attorney General, or designee.
• The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, or designee.
• The Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, or designee.
• The Commissioner of the Department of Education, or designee.
• Two Mayors or local-government-elected officials.
• One representative from a victim advocacy organization.
• One representative from an Alaska Native stakeholder organization.
• One representative from a local law enforcement agency.
• One representative of a faith-based community organization.
• One representative of a homelessness direct-service provider.
• The Governor requests two ex-officio members, one who is a member of the Alaska State Senate appointed by the Senate President, and one who is a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.