Governor Gianforte Highlights Montanans Supporting Human Trafficking Survivors

Governor Gianforte Highlights Montanans Supporting Human Trafficking Survivors

• October 02 2024

BILLINGS, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte last week visited with representatives from the HER Campaign to highlight their work to support survivors of human trafficking through residential programs.

"Human trafficking is a despicable, heartbreaking crime, but thanks to dedicated Montanans like Sammy and organizations like the HER Campaign, survivors are offered resources and hope," Gov. Gianforte said. "We will continue to do our part to put an end to human trafficking and hold traffickers accountable for their heinous crimes."

Gov. Gianforte talking with HER Campaign Co-Founder Sammy Higgins (left)

Visiting the organization's safe house, the governor heard of the resources available to women in need.

The HER Campaign Safe House is a three-to-five-day shelter for crisis intervention that provides human trafficking survivors with a safe place, basic needs, and resource assessment to guide their next steps.

"We're really serving as an emergency room for survivors. Without emergency stabilization, we can't connect those in need with families or other resources that could provide long-term care," HER Campaign co-founder Sammy Higgins said.

If survivors decide to move forward with the resources provided after their stay at the safe house, the organization also offers a 30-to-90-day option for those seeking care through their Emergency Shelter.

"There is a gap in survivor care between rescue and long-term residential care. An Emergency Shelter is designed to assess and address the most common variables that cause victims to relapse and achieve stabilization through holistic therapy addressing mind, body, and spirit," Higgins added.

As the next phase of their mission, the HER Campaign is working to expand their trainings for families to offer a safe place for survivors.

Since 2015, the Montana Department of Justice has tracked a 1,400 percent increase in human trafficking cases in Montana. In 2015, there are seven recorded human trafficking cases compared to 106 cases in 2022.

To crack down on criminals, the governor last year increased penalties for human trafficking and provided prosecutors more tools to bring traffickers to justice.

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