Singleton Receives Advocacy Champion Award from NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Trenton – Today, Senator Troy Singleton received the Advocacy Champion award from the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT) for his tireless efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking in New Jersey. The Senator received the award at the organization’s annual event, which is held in January – National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

“It is a privilege to be recognized by the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking for our work to raise awareness of human trafficking in our state,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “Human trafficking is essentially a form of modern day slavery and we should be outraged that in 2020 this is still a major problem in our society.

“The victims of human trafficking are from our cities, suburbs and rural areas; they are men and women of all ages; and, they are of all religions and ethnicities.  This is an issue that affects all of us,” continued Singleton. “Too many people have become trapped in this heinous system and I will continue to advocate for justice for these victims, and ultimately, for their freedom.”

The Senator recently led an effort in partnership with the Attorney General’s Office, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and NJCAHT and other human trafficking advocates to implement a human trafficking awareness campaign, in which the state and national human trafficking hotline numbers are posted in rest areas along the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. The Senator also announced that the South Jersey Transportation Authority joined the effort, and placed the posters in restrooms on the Atlantic City Expressway and in the Atlantic City International Airport.

In addition to this initiative, Senator Singleton sponsored several bills aimed at helping victims of human trafficking, including training for commercial driver’s license applicants so they know how to handle and respond to a victim, and punishing those involved in human trafficking through civil actions.

The NJCAHT was formed in 2011 and is made up of over 180 diverse groups in the state, which include nonprofits, faith-based organizations, government agencies, academics, law enforcement, and direct service providers. The organization works to serve as the hub of community efforts statewide to increase coordination, and visibility of New Jersey’s commitment to end human trafficking.