Human Trafficking Conference in Johnson City, NY on Nov. 14

As a mom, one of my biggest fears is that my child could be groomed or taken. Not that long ago, plenty of people would have called that fear ridiculous. In recent years, we have learned a lot about the very real dangers lurking right in our own backyard. We like to think we live in a safe community, but even safe communities have dark secrets, and some of them involve the predators looking to go after our kids.

New York State Human Trafficking Numbers Show a Hidden Problem

The numbers make it hard to keep believing the bad things happen somewhere else. The National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 606 cases in New York in 2025, involving 1,065 victims, and its data for that year lists 112 minors. Since 2007, the hotline has identified 5,695 cases in the state.

The New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking 2024 annual report shows a record 515 referrals for confirmation that year, with 409 people confirmed as trafficking survivors. Of those, 177 were labor trafficking, 184 were sex trafficking, and 48 involved both. Thirty-eight were minors, and 120 of the referrals came from Upstate New York outside the New York City and Long Island regions. The report adds that these figures reflect only known cases and likely represent a fraction of what is actually happening.

Who Traffickers Are Often Isn’t Who Parents Expect

The state report also tracks the relationship between survivors and their traffickers, and it doesn't match the stranger in a van that many of us picture. An employer was listed 129 times and an intimate partner 81 times. A friend appeared 37 times and a stranger 26. Those counts are instances, so they can exceed the number of individuals.

So much of a kid’s life now happens on a phone, and the report notes that State Police outreach to local schools covers the signs of grooming by anonymous online predators.

Southern Tier Law Enforcement and Agencies Are Already Working Together

The Southern Tier Human Trafficking Task Force brings together law enforcement, government agencies, service providers and advocates from Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkins counties. The state report says the group held four regional meetings in 2024 and heard directly from survivors. It also notes that State Police Troop C, which covers those same seven counties, executed 44 search warrants in 2024 that led to 34 arrests with state and federal indictments.

Johnson City Conference Gives Southern Tier Families Free Answers on Nov. 14

That's why the task force is presenting “Predators, Grooming & Exploitation: What Every Community Should Know About Human Trafficking” on Saturday, November 14 at United With Christ Church, 1025 Robinson Hill Road in Johnson City. Doors open at 9 a.m. with coffee and community resource vendors, and the speakers begin at 10 a.m. Admission is free.

Organizers say the material is intended for mature audiences and parental discretion is advised for youth. Updates are being posted on the Facebook event page under the Crime Victims Assistance Center.

Johnson City Conference Schedule for Saturday, November 14

10:00 a.m.: Human Trafficking 101, Julina Guo, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services
10:30 a.m.: Labor Trafficking, Jazmin Garcia, NYS Department of Labor
11:00 a.m.: The District Attorney’s Role in Human Trafficking Cases, Paul Battisti, Broome County District Attorney’s Office
11:30 a.m.: Case Studies and Investigations, Julia Toce, NYS Office of the Attorney General
11:45 a.m.: Panel discussion and Q&A with the four morning speakers
12:15 p.m.: Lunch with food trucks on site, plus time to meet the presenters
1:15 p.m.: Restoring Hope: Long-Term Care for Survivors, Deb Kuehner, Potter’s Hands Foundation
1:45 p.m.: Survivor testimonies
2:15 p.m.: Supporting Survivors: Services Available Through CVAC, Christine Battisti, Crime Victims Assistance Center
2:45 p.m.: Social Media Safety, Matt Barcak, Broome County Sheriff’s Office and FBI Task Force
3:30 p.m.: Vendors and community resource tables until 4 p.m.

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National Human Trafficking Hotline Number for Anyone Who Needs Help

Anyone who needs help or wants to report a tip can reach the National Human Trafficking Hotline 24 hours a day at 1-888-373-7888, or by texting 233733. southerntiertrafficking@gmail.com.

These Upstate New York Resources Can Help If You’re Being Stalked

If you’re dealing with stalking, harassment, or intimidation in Upstate New York, you don’t have to figure it out alone. This list breaks down trusted, confidential support organizations by region so you can find help near you, whether you’re ready to talk, need safety planning, or just want to know your options. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start, and this is a place to do exactly that.

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