Kentuckians should call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 to report suspected trafficking
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 2, 2025) – First Lady Britainy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) are raising awareness about human trafficking and educating the public on how to identify and report it. The First Lady said Kentuckians should stay alert and learn the warning signs, especially as Kentucky Derby weekend begins, bringing thousands of visitors and large crowds to the commonwealth.
“Every single person deserves to be safe – and to be free,” Mrs. Beshear said. “This weekend, as we celebrate one of our most special traditions, we also have the chance to change lives and save lives by staying alert for signs that someone is being held against their will or without full control of their choices. Remember, if you see something, say something … because together, we can stop this horrific crime and look out for those who are most vulnerable.”
Human trafficking involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud or coercion. As many as 24.9 million men, women and children are sold into prostitution, domestic servitude or other forced labor around the globe. KSP states that human trafficking becomes a higher concern surrounding large events due to the increase in both foot and vehicular traffic.
Kentuckians have a legal duty to report suspicions of children involved in the commercial sex trade to Kentucky Department for Community Based Services at 877-KYSAFE1 and to local law enforcement. Other concerns about possible trafficking activities should be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline: call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. To learn more about the signs of human trafficking, click here. If there is an emergency, dial 911 immediately.
The First Lady is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting survivors, and she serves on the advisory board for the National Coalition for the Prevention of Human Sex Trafficking. In January, she joined Gov. Andy Beshear’s Team Kentucky Update to recognize Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Later that month, she also presented at the Frankfort Police Department’s annual Human Trafficking Awareness Training at the Paul Sawyier Public Library. In March, she visited Holly Hill Child & Family Solutions in Northern Kentucky, which provides residential treatment, therapy and other services for vulnerable youth, including some children who have been trafficked.
KSP has developed a cycle map to illustrate how human trafficking originates and perpetuates among victims, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of its devastating impact.
There are three primary forms of trafficking prevalent in Kentucky:
- Labor Trafficking: Victims are coerced into work to meet basic needs or fund drug habits.
- Sex Trafficking: Victims are forced into commercial sexual acts through threats, pressure or manipulation, often by someone they know, such as a romantic partner or family member.
- Familial Trafficking: Based on reports made to the Department for Community Based Services, the in Kentucky involves a trusted family member exploiting a victim for profit, often in exchange for drugs, money or other benefits.
“Human trafficking is not just a crime; it is an attack on human dignity,” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. “Traffickers prey on the vulnerable using manipulation, violence or deception, and we will target these individuals using law enforcement collaboration, intelligence and resources.”
In addition to the First Lady’s efforts to prevent and address this crime, Gov. Beshear has made fighting human trafficking a core mission during his time in elected office.
As attorney general, Beshear’s office established itself as the leading agency in Kentucky’s fight against human trafficking. He created the Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention and Prosecution, assigned staff to assist local law enforcement with resources in an effort to resolve human trafficking complaints and trained thousands of individuals statewide.
The Office of the Attorney General also arrested a historic number of child predators during Beshear’s term. He also created the Survivor’s Council, which provided a way for survivors of violent crimes, including human trafficking, to advise and assist the office on matters related to victims of crime.
Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 73 making sexual extortion a felony law and House Bill 207, strengthening the language in statute to include other forms of abuse and sexual exploitation of minors.
Since taking office in 2019, the Beshear-Coleman administration has awarded more than $149 million in grant funding to victim service agencies and provided victim services to approximately 323,000 Kentuckians. In August, the Governor awarded $14.9 million through the federal Victims of Crime Act grant program prioritizing services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence; survivors of violence; victims of burglary, theft, drug and alcohol-related crimes; and elderly victims.
In April 2023, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 319, increasing award amounts, expanding reimbursement categories and adding caregivers to the persons eligible for reimbursement from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.