Mission
Our mandate to work against sex and labor trafficking in Howard County is supported in part through the work of the Howard County Human Trafficking Prevention Coordination Council (HTPCC), an appointed and voluntary body which held its first meeting in December 2017. The HTPCC was made permanent by County legislation, (CB 52-2019) that took effect January 2020.
OHTP aligns with the values and standards of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, partnering with anti-trafficking agencies and organizations which conform responsibly to best practices in the field.
Behind Closed Doors: Unveiling the Shadows of Sex Trafficking
In honor of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Office of Human Traffickiing Prevention manager Ashton Petta joined Power52’s podcast, The Kissing Booth, to discuss how Howard County is working to combat human trafficking and support survivors.
Watch the full discussion on YouTube to learn how you can spread awareness and be part of the change to prevent these crimes against those who are most vulnerable.
Program & Resources
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a crime that involves the exploitation of a person for the purpose of compelled sex or labor through the use of force, fraud or coercion.
Labor trafficking is the crime of using force, fraud or coercion to induce another individual to work or provide service.
Sex trafficking is the crime of using force, fraud or coercion to induce another individual to sell sex. Any person under the age of 18 who is engaged in commercial sex acts, regardless of the use of force, fraud, or coercion, is defined as a victim of human trafficking.
For more information and resources, explore the following organizations:
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center
Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force
Training Materials
These trainings are free, self-paced and available online.
Office of Victims of Crime Training Materials
Human Trafficking 101 - UM School of Social Work
There are several ways you can get involved:
- Continue learning how sex and labor trafficking really happen. Visit the What is Human Trafficking tab above to access resources and information from reputable anti-trafficking organizations.
- Volunteer with or donate funds and/or useful new goods to reputable local anti-trafficking direct service organizations, such as TurnAround or Araminta Freedom Initiative. More information can be found under the Volunteer Opportunities tab below.
- Organize an informational presentation on human trafficking. Request OHTP to speak to your community group(s) on trafficking at no cost in-person or virtually. Past presentations have been provided to local faith-based, school-based groups and civic groups.
- Be a conscientious consumer. Share with others about how human trafficking exists in the services and products they consume. Goal is to reduce purchasing of goods and services provided through trafficked labor and make it less socially acceptable to do so. Learn how to purchase products free of exploitation.
- Follow reputable organizations on social media, re-sharing their messages, graphics and reports appropriately.
- Speak up personally against harmful stereotypes about sex work and trafficking.
- Talk to local business owners and managers you have a relationship with about trafficking, connect them to OHTP. Ask them to become an allied business by posting informational flyers, implementing basic awareness training on human trafficking for their staff and engaging with us on other socially-conscious initiatives.
- Connect OHTP to free or low-cost advertising spaces, media opportunities, leads for affordable housing rental units, food or space donations for future outreach events.
- Post informational flyers on trafficking in public and private spaces (i.e. bulletin boards, bathrooms, other ideal locations for posting phone numbers for help) that you have access too professionally and personally. Materials are available to download under the Awareness Materials tab. OHTP can also provide flyers for you and create additional flyers in response to specific requests.
- Come to the Human Trafficking Prevention Coordination Council meetings. All Full HTPCC and small committee meetings are open to the public and we welcome new participants to broaden our network and contribute to our work.
Looking for ways to volunteer? While we do not currently have any volunteer opportunities available, some of our partners do! Click on the links below to learn more about service providers in our community seeking volunteers.
If you fear you or someone you know are in immediate danger contact 911.
To Report a Suspicion of Trafficking or Other Abuse or Neglect
Howard County Police Non-Emergency: (410) 313- 2929 (all ages)
hcpdcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov
Howard County DSS Child Protective Services: 410-872-4203 (minors)
For a Suspected Trafficking Victim Who Needs Immediate Help
TurnAround
- Weekday/Daytime: (410) 837 - 7000
- 24/7 Help line: (443) 279 – 0379
- 24/7 Text line: (410) 498 - 5956
Not sure? Contact our office for guidance and more information.
Who to Call Awareness Flier - This flier is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese. To access the file in each language, click the language listed above.
Archived OHTP 2023 Annual Report and Plan for 2024
Human Trafficking Prevention Coordination Council
The full HTPCC meets on a bi-monthly basis and convenes smaller project-driven committees and ad hoc workgroups as needed. No confidential information is discussed. All meetings are publicized in advance on this webpage and are open to the public. Attendance is recorded and reflected in each full meetings’ minutes, which are approved at the next full HTPCC meeting. Ex officio members within County government and the composition and number of public members are dictated by the Coordination Council’s founding legislation (CB 52-2019). Terms of the public members are staggered and vary in length and appointments are made as needed by the County Executive.