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Berks County task force outlines prevention and survivor services in human trafficking presentation
Summary
Northstar Initiative, ZOE International and the Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force told commissioners that trafficking in Berks is driven by online recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable people and described residential, restoration and mentoring programs and law-enforcement partnerships.
Melinda Clark of Northstar Initiative and the Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force told commissioners that human trafficking in Berks County often looks different than the public imagines and is frequently rooted in online recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable people.
"We are capable of being a community that is trafficking proof and see an end to trafficking as we also empower survivors to reclaim their lives," Clark said. She outlined youth education, residential shelter options and long-term restoration programming across Berks and Lancaster counties and said prevention requires both law-enforcement action and community-based supports.
Bridal Ortenzi, the task force coordinator for Berks and Lancaster counties, described the task force's three-part structure—prosecution, law enforcement and victim services—and said tactical operations include answering online ads, stings and targeted surveillance. Ortenzi said the task force also places trained advocates alongside law enforcement to support victims immediately after rescue and runs mentoring programs designed to reduce vulnerability before exploitation occurs.
Meg McCollum, assistant district attorney, said the task force pairs arrests with an expanded victim-service network. "It takes about seven times before a trafficking victim finally leaves," McCollum said, urging repeated and sustained outreach and community awareness. Presenters said Northstar runs two homes (one in Berks and one in Lancaster) with emergency shelter, a 12–15 month restoration program and transitional housing, and that the programs sometimes receive referrals from federal partners including Homeland Security Investigations.
Commissioners and presenters urged the public and local media to raise awareness of available services and to refer suspected victims to the district attorney's office or the task force. The presentation closed with an invitation to contact Northstar or the task force for resources or collaboration.
