HARTFORD, CT — Human trafficking cases in Connecticut have surged since the pandemic, yet state systems remain unprepared to meet the needs of victims—particularly adults and those trafficked for labor—according to a new report released Tuesday by the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce (RHTRT).
The 2025 Journey Mapping Report offers the state’s most detailed review of trafficking victims’ interactions with Connecticut’s legal, health, and social service systems. The findings document seven major systemic gaps and highlight widespread inconsistencies in service delivery, intake protocols, and statewide coordination.
“The insights gained from this project underscore the urgent need for a more streamlined and trauma-informed system of care for victims of trafficking,” said Krystal Rich, executive director of the Connecticut Children’s Alliance and co-chair of RHTRT. “By understanding the journey of victims, we can now work toward implementing concrete improvements that will ensure all those impacted by this crime receive the comprehensive support they deserve.”
Trafficking investigations in the Greater Hartford region rose more than 200% since 2022. RHTRT data shows that during the study period, 49 victims received support—27 minors and 22 adults. Ninety-four percent were female. Among minors, most were between 13 and 17 years old; among adults, over half were 18 to 23, a demographic that often falls through eligibility cracks in youth support systems.
Most victims—73%—were identified as survivors of sex trafficking. Four percent were victims of labor trafficking, and another four percent experienced both. A portion of cases went uncategorized due to screening limitations.
Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese Walcott, RHTRT co-chair, emphasized the harm caused by systemic disarray. “As a prosecutor handling these cases, I’ve seen firsthand the consequences when the system falls short and the profound impact that has on victims,” she said. “We’re committed to building solutions that are coordinated, responsive, and rooted in the lived realities of survivors.”
The report criticizes the absence of a unified statewide response structure. No protocol exists for assisting adult trafficking survivors outside of Hartford. Data collection is scattered and definitions of trafficking vary between agencies, hampering interagency coordination.
South Windsor Police Chief Kristian Lindstrom stressed the need for funding to train officials across sectors. “They say it takes a village, and in this case, it takes the Capital Region, it takes the state, it takes all of our communities working together to achieve this goal and be successful,” he said.
Erin Williamson, chief programs and strategy officer at Love146, said her agency has maintained a waitlist for long-term care since 2019. “As of today, we have 35 children waiting,” she said. “We’ve served kids in every single county in Connecticut. If you think this isn’t happening in your community, I can tell you it is. These children are crossing jurisdictions. They need specialized services, not just general support.”
Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly of the Department of Children and Families noted that 66% of trafficked youth in Connecticut live at home, underscoring how often exploitation takes place out of sight from authorities—even inside family settings.
“Too many people think that trafficking is a distant issue,” Rich said. “But the reality is trafficking happens right here in our state, in our cities, our towns, our neighborhoods, our schools, and even our workplaces.”
The report outlines priority gaps:
• No statewide victim response protocol for adults
• Fragmented data systems
• Inconsistent intake and referral procedures
• Lack of standardized definitions
• Limited legal and policy cohesion
• Chronic underfunding for trauma care and housing
• Near-total absence of labor trafficking focus
The RHTRT will formally present its findings to the state’s Trafficking in Persons Council on May 15. A working group will then begin developing policy and funding recommendations to address these gaps.
