Gov. Beshear, First Lady Beshear, Kentucky State Police Recognize Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Team Kentucky to participate in Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative Jan. 12-16

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2026) – Following last week’s recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Gov. Andy Beshear, First Lady Britainy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) are reaffirming their commitment to raising awareness about human trafficking and empowering Kentuckians with the knowledge needed to help stop this crime.

KSP’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVE) is participating in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative during the week of Jan. 12-16. This annual effort aims to educate commercial motor vehicle drivers, motor carriers, law enforcement officers and the public about human trafficking, the signs to look for and what to do if you suspect someone is being trafficked.

“No Kentuckian and no American should ever fall victim to the heinous crime of human trafficking, and since I started in public office, I have been committed to making sure no one experiences this trauma,” Gov. Beshear said. “I will never stop fighting to end human trafficking while supporting victims and making that safer New Kentucky Home every person deserves.”

“As a mom, my top priority is making sure our children are safe in everything that they do,” the First Lady said. “I’m proud to work with stakeholders across our commonwealth to keep our kids safe while supporting victims and holding criminals accountable.”

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that exploits individuals through force, fraud or coercion. Victims may be compelled into commercial sex, domestic servitude or other forms of forced labor. While trafficking occurs worldwide, it also impacts communities here at home.

“Ending human trafficking requires more than law enforcement efforts alone,” KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said. “When citizens and businesses work alongside us, we strengthen our ability to identify victims, disrupt trafficking operations, and bring offenders to justice. Safeguarding the vulnerable is a responsibility shared by all.”

Human trafficking affects communities of all sizes and backgrounds and often goes unnoticed. Throughout January, state leaders and law enforcement are working to bring greater visibility to the issue, encourage public involvement and strengthen prevention efforts across the commonwealth.

To help educate both the public and professionals, KSP has developed a cycle map that demonstrates how trafficking often begins, how victims become trapped and why breaking that cycle can be so difficult. The visual resource is designed to increase understanding of the psychological, emotional and economic barriers victims face.

In Kentucky, trafficking typically falls into three primary categories:

• Labor Trafficking:Individuals are forced or manipulated into working, often to secure basic necessities or support substance use, with little or no compensation.
• Sex Trafficking:Victims are compelled to engage in commercial sexual activity through threats, violence or emotional manipulation, frequently by someone they trust, such as a partner or family member.
• Familial Trafficking:The most common form reported in Kentucky, involving a family member exploiting a victim for financial gain or other benefits, including drugs, money or other benefits.

As part of its ongoing outreach efforts, KSP hosts an annual Human Trafficking Slogan Contest through its Mobile Substance Abuse Education Trailer. Participants who experience the trailer are invited to submit a slogan that promotes awareness and prevention. The selected slogan is featured on human trafficking awareness bracelets distributed statewide. KSP encourages Kentuckians to share their creativity and help shape the next message that will reach audiences across the commonwealth. You can learn more about this contest on KSP’s website.

Gov. Beshear and Mrs. Beshear have made fighting human trafficking a core mission during their time in public office and the Governor’s Mansion.

As attorney general, Beshear’s office established itself as the leading agency in Kentucky’s fight against human trafficking. He created the Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention and Prosecution, assigned staff to assist local law enforcement with resources in an effort to resolve human trafficking complaints and trained thousands of individuals statewide.

The Office of the Attorney General also arrested a historic level of child predators during Beshear’s term. He also created the Survivor’s Council, which provided a way for survivors of violent crimes, including human trafficking, to advise and assist the office on matters related to victims of crime.

Since taking office, the Beshear-Coleman administration has awarded more than $162 million in grant funding to victim service agencies across the commonwealth. Gov. Beshear has also signed legislation to make sexual extortion a felony and strengthened statutory language to include other forms of abuse and sexual exploitation of minors. 

In April 2023, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 319, increasing emergency award amounts for victims of crime and their families, expanding reimbursement categories and adding caregivers to the persons eligible for reimbursement from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund. The maximum amount for compensation increased from $30,000 to $50,000; lost wages awards increased from $300 per week to $500 per week; and funeral expense reimbursement increased from $7,500 to $10,000.

In 2023, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 79, creating the Safe at Home Program, which is administered by the secretary of state. The program protects the residential address of survivors of domestic violence and other sexual crimes as well as the addresses of those who reside in the same household as the victim. To gain this protection, the crime victim or the individual residing in the victim’s home needs to apply to the secretary of state’s office to have the address protected.

The First Lady is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting survivors by serving on the advisory board for the National Coalition for the Prevention of Sex Trafficking. She joined the Governor at last week’s Team Kentucky Update to recognize Human Trafficking Prevention month. In November 2025, Mrs. Beshear helped the Governor award more than $2 million in federal grant funding through the Violence Against Women Act. In her time as First Lady, Mrs. Beshear has made the effort to support organizations and agencies across the commonwealth who are supporting victims.

The Governor and First Lady lit the Governor’s Mansion blue on the night of January 11 to recognize National Human Trafficking Day in the Commonwealth, which Gov. Beshear officially proclaimed.

Report Human Trafficking Anyone who suspects a child may be involved in commercial sexual exploitation should contact the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services at 1-877-KYSAFE1 or notify local law enforcement.

Concerns related to other potential trafficking activity should be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. In emergencies, dial 911 immediately or call KSP at 1-800-222-5555.

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