What the Latest Report on State Anti-Trafficking Efforts Reveals And Why It Matters

After nine years working in the anti-human trafficking field, I’ve seen firsthand how different the fight looks depending on where you are. I’ve met incredible people building prevention programs from the ground up in their communities, oftentimes with limited resources but unwavering commitment. And I’ve also seen what happens when jurisdictions fail to prioritize this work: victims remain unseen, justice delayed or denied, and communities left vulnerable.

That’s why the latest State Human Trafficking Report from Allies Against Slavery is so important. It lays out, in stark terms, which states are investing in real change and which aren’t. It’s a sobering reminder that policy matters. But more importantly, it’s a call to action.

Here are the takeaways I took from the report and why they matter to all of us working to protect victims, support survivors, and hold traffickers accountable.

States Have Passed Hundreds of Laws but Gaps Remain

Since 2003, states have passed nearly 700 laws aimed at preventing trafficking, protecting survivors, and prosecuting traffickers. That’s real progress. But it’s far from consistent.

Some states (like Florida, Washington, and Tennessee) have adopted nearly all of the 20 core policies the report tracks. Others, like Idaho, have implemented just a quarter of them. Even when laws are on the books, their impact can vary. For example, some states offer survivors the ability to expunge criminal records tied to their trafficking, but the process may be so complex or restrictive that few can access it.

What this means: Survivors don’t have equal access to justice based on where they live. 

Prevention Is Still Lagging

While laws focused on prosecution and protection have grown significantly, prevention remains underdeveloped in many states. Fewer than half of states require trafficking education in schools, and many lack the infrastructure for proactive prevention, like mandated screening for child exploitation risk.

What this means: We can’t only focus on trafficking once it happens, we need to identify vulnerabilities early. Organizations like FAIR Girls and Prevention Now are working to provide this access, but not every community is fortunate to have organizations like this in their communities. 

Prosecutions Vary Sharply by Geography

Some states (like California, Texas, and New York) had the highest total number of federal trafficking prosecutions. But when you adjust for population, states like South Dakota, Alaska, and Virginia rise to the top. Others, like Colorado and Delaware, lag behind.

What this means: Human trafficking isn’t limited to big cities or specific regions. A low number of prosecutions doesn’t mean trafficking isn’t happening, it’s more complex. These cases can be difficult to win, and often underreported, which means the real scope of trafficking may be far greater than what federal prosecution data reflects. 

Where We Go From Here

This report reinforces something we’ve long believed: laws and prosecutions matter, but data must drive our response. That’s why Spotlight exists. We provide frontline responders with a clearer picture of what trafficking looks like in their communities, help them prioritize high-risk cases, and ultimately, ensure victims are identified faster and supported sooner. 

But there are still critical data gaps that make this fight harder than it needs to be. While this report gives insight into what policies exist and where prosecutions are happening, it doesn’t tell us how prevalent trafficking is, or whether those laws implemented are actually working. Without measurement and accountability, policies risk becoming symbolic instead of transformative. 

There is more to do, and all of us in this fight have a role to play. We can focus on ensuring legislation gets passed but also must focus on how we measure their impact. Survivors have been at the forefront of drafting legislation, shaping policies, and leading advocacy that drives real change. The rest of us must follow their lead: by elevating survivor voices, push