Alabama Launches Anti-Trafficking Partnership
On Monday, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced a new collaboration between his office and local law enforcement to combat human trafficking in the state.
This statewide initiative, aimed at helping businesses recognize and report trafficking, invites enterprises across Alabama to apply for participation as ACT partners.
According to partners within the program, Allen’s office asserts that they will “save lives with tips on identifying and halting human trafficking.” Companies taking part will receive decals to display and will be recognized as ACT Partners on the Secretary of State’s website.
Allen remarked, “The human trafficking program across Alabama gives citizens the chance to aid in uncovering and reporting trafficking.” He emphasized bringing this serious issue to the forefront of public awareness.
He further encouraged all Alabama businesses to engage in this essential initiative, urging them and residents to share ACT resources on social media.
This initiative is intended not just to draw public attention but also to equip Alabama businesses with knowledge about identifying potential signs of human trafficking occurring within the state.
In a video posted on X, Allen expressed gratitude to Alea Secretary Hal Taylor for collaborating on the project. However, details about Allaa’s specific role in the ACT weren’t clarified, although Taylor expressed hope that the program would assist law enforcement in recognizing and addressing instances of trafficking.
“The ACT initiative raises awareness of the often-overlooked crime of human trafficking. When the public is informed and vigilant, we can become strong allies in aiding law enforcement to identify victims and thwart traffickers,” Taylor noted.
Huey “Hoss” Mac, who serves as the executive director of both the Alabama District Attorneys Association and the Alabama Security Association, also voiced approval of the initiative.
He stated that the association fully supports Allen’s efforts and recognizes the signs of human trafficking. This increased awareness is expected to lead to more reporting, enabling law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.
Mac expressed pride in working alongside Secretary Allen on the ACT program, acknowledging the various forms human trafficking can take, particularly in Alabama recently. He stated, “This partnership adds another valuable tool to tackle this crucial issue in communities statewide.”
Mac went on to encourage local businesses to take part in the program, noting, “One call might save many lives.”
The ACT program’s establishment was prompted by a recent crime investigation in Bibb County, which resulted in multiple arrests linked to sexual abuse and human trafficking. Eight suspects have since been charged in connection with that case.
This situation has reignited discussions among lawmakers, including Senator Matt Simpson, about potentially instituting the death penalty for convicted child rapists.
The ACT page on the Secretary of State’s website contains resources for reporting suspected trafficking, complete with contact details for the National Trafficking Hotline and the ALEA Bureau of Investigation Crime Hotline.
This resource also indicates that victims of human trafficking can come from any demographic—included are various ages, races, ethnicities, genders, immigrant statuses, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic classes.
Currently, the ACT program includes partnerships with organizations such as the Alabama Association Executive Council, the Alabama Restaurants and Hospitality Association, and the Alabama Retail Association, among others.
