The Bucks County Board of Commissioners declared January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness month at the first meeting of the new year on Wednesday.
Commissioner-secretary Gene DiGirolamo read a proclamation making the announcement. “We offer our support to BCAT [Bucks County Coalition Against Trafficking] and NOVA and their mission to prevent and combat human trafficking within our communities by increasing awareness, improving, and making resources available.”
NOVA training coordinator Jamie Pfister and NOVA’s trafficking victim advocate Danielle DiUlio presented to the commissioners the work BCAT and NOVA have done to educate and combat human trafficking in the county.
Pfister spoke about the strategies and advocacy work the coalition has taken on. In 2024, BCAT educated 700 participants in community engagements and worked alongside healthcare providers who Pfister said have an opportunity to intervene in suspected trafficking cases.
Pfister said because 75 percent of victims have an interaction in a hotel or motel BCAT works with Bucks County hotels and motels to identify human trafficking that may occur on the property.
DiUlio praised the role of law enforcement and the Bucks County District Attorney’s office. Alongside law enforcement, Bucks County Children and Youth, and the Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center, the coalition was able to conduct 18 Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children assessments. Two assessments resulted in an investigation with one leading to a prosecution, DiUlio said.
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NOVA worked with law enforcement to recover survivors of human trafficking from hotels in Falls Township and Bristol. DiUlio emphasized the need to collaborate with schools, youth centers, social service agencies, and medical providers to prevent child sexual exploitation.
Solicitor Amy Fitzpatrick commended the district attorneys, detectives, and health inspectors work inspecting massage parlors in efforts to combat human trafficking in the county.
“Those inspections, the requirement that massage parlors be licensed, and increased communication between the DA’s office, law enforcement agencies, and the county has worked to combat human trafficking even if it’s not something discussed on a monthly basis here at our meetings,” Fitzpatrick said.
