Human Trafficking
in New Jersey

The Junior Leagues of New Jersey’s State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) has advocated for laws and policies to help end human trafficking in New Jersey since 2005. In 2006, NJ SPAC collaborated on an informational conference looking at this issue in our country. In 2009,  NJ SPAC organized the first conference on human trafficking in New Jersey hosted by Kean University.

In 2010,  NJ SPAC organized a Roundtable Workshop to look at future legislative action, and out of that effort eventually sprung the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT) initially under the umbrella of the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ and the seeds of a comprehensive new law the NJ Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection and Treatment Act to combat human trafficking in our state sponsored by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle.

Since then, NJ SPAC has:
  • Advocated for the National Human Trafficking Hotline call 888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BE FREE) which is funded by the US Dept of Health & Human Services and operated by Polaris in a trauma-informed manner, 24/7 in 200 languages.
  • Developed, served on and led the NJCAHT Legislative Committee which continues to advocate for new laws to improve New Jersey’s response to human trafficking. Learn more on the NJCAHT website.
  • Helped create an ongoing SOAP Outreach to hotels and motels with the NJCAHT working in partnership with Theresa Flores and her organization SOAP.
  • Created and championed in collaboration with the NJCAHT - a Proclamation Project, which urges municipalities to pass resolutions and proclamations to raise awareness during January’s Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 
  • Partnered with the NJCAHT on an annual ADVOCACY DAY in Trenton during Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
  • Maintained a working relationship with legislative leaders, such as Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ 4) and others to advance policies and best practices around human trafficking.
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SPAC members with Assemblywoman Angela McKnight
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