Rockland Reporter

Co-Chairs Assemblyman Brian Maher and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, along with Hudson Valley regional host Assemblyman John McGowan, convened a meeting to address human trafficking in the Hudson Valley. The event was attended by experts and officials, including Assemblyman Matt Slater and Rep. Mike Lawler.

Human trafficking cases are challenging to quantify due to many victims remaining unidentified. A 2022 report from the New York State Interagency Task Force revealed 249 confirmed cases, while the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 467 cases involving 622 victims, predominantly sex-trafficked individuals.

Assemblyman Maher emphasized the need for legislative and policy recommendations: “Human trafficking is a crime with so many silent victims who are lost with little hope... The many perspectives shared around the state will help us develop legislation and policy recommendations to ensure more people are helped and do not fall victim to human trafficking.”

Assemblywoman Walsh highlighted the task force's dual purpose of fact-finding and raising awareness: “Our Task Force on Human Trafficking is as much a fact-finding mission as it is to raise awareness within our communities that these crimes against vulnerable women and children exist right here in our state.”

Assemblyman McGowan pointed out the ongoing impact of human trafficking: “The heartbreaking reality is that human trafficking continues to devastate communities across our state, often going unnoticed... we need comprehensive strategies to not only identify and support survivors but also prevent future trafficking.”

Assemblyman Slater reiterated his commitment: “I’m proud to join my colleagues in our relentless fight to end human trafficking, protect victims, and hold traffickers accountable.”

Key stakeholders present included Putnam County District Attorney Robert V. Tendy; Brittney Kessel from Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office; Town of Somers Supervisor Robert Scorrano; Dr. Marco F. Pochintesta; Dr. Dwight Bonk; Commissioner Michael Iapoce; officers from New York State Troopers-Troop K; Orange County Sheriff’s Office representatives; among others.

The task force expressed gratitude to Finkelstein Memorial Library for hosting the discussion. Previous meetings were held in Suffolk, Nassau counties, Capital Region, Western New York, and Central New York. Future meetings are planned for New York City and upper Hudson Valley.