Budding trees and bushes are seen in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Human trafficking is a hidden crisis in Alaska, affecting some of our most vulnerable residents. It is not confined to major cities but extends to rural communities, where economic hardship and geographic isolation can create conditions ripe for exploitation. To tackle this issue effectively, we need a coordinated, sustained effort—one that House Bill 118 can provide by establishing a permanent Council on Human and Sex Trafficking.
The conditions that lead to human trafficking are challenging to address in rural Alaska. In the Yukon-Kuskokwim region and beyond, high costs of living, housing shortages, and food insecurity contribute to vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit. Covenant House Alaska began working in the region a few years ago in partnership with the Bethel Community Services Foundation, the Bethel Winter House, Tundra Women’s Coalition, and the Bethel Regional High School. These efforts, supported by partners like Donlin Gold, focus on addressing these root causes by providing essential services and support to those in need. Thanks to these key partnerships, Covenant House has successfully established a program to help high school students graduate—creating a crucial barrier to exploitation and trafficking. Additionally, in collaboration with Bethel Winter House, our federally funded anti-human trafficking initiatives have already identified more than 15 young people as victims of human trafficking…