Human trafficking is an issue in communities across the country, including here in New York.

According to the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, so far this year, there have been close to 300 confirmed victims of human trafficking. That’s just under 30 fewer victims than were reported throughout the entirety of 2023. About half of those for both this year and last were sex-trafficked.

When you look at those numbers, it's important to remember that each represents a person who is dealing with the often lifelong impact of their experiences.

From city to city, staff to staff, a legislative Task Force on Human Trafficking is touring New York state, hoping to better understand the needs of victims, survivors and those who help them.

“Sometimes, we’re seeing that the resources of the nefarious actors are a lot larger than the resources of the advocates and supporters of these victims and children," said Jarrett Woodfork, chief of Special Victims Bureau for the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. 

A two-hour discussion Friday included representatives from organizations sharing the difficulties of helping victims, whether it be a lack of staff or challenges with building trust. Woodfork faces the struggle every day in his job. 

“The frustration I feel in these cases comes from the moments where I don't have the ability to hold someone accountable," he said. "And the ability is not because of lack of effort. It’s the inability to convince some of these victims that they will be safe, that they have alternatives.” 

Woodfork works closely with the McMahon-Ryan Child Advocacy Center, a nonprofit that helps abused children. He believes more centers like this one need common utilities like a washer and driver, or a shower, so victims have a safe space to stay and gain trust in the people trying to help. 

“It allows us to engage with this population more frequently," Woodfork said. "It is something that people take for granted, that this is an objective feature of our lives that that now we can give to them that allows them to have some place where they can be safe.”

Something that Woodfork says can't be achieved unless there is the right level of investment.

“Being creative is a product of necessity right now," he said. "Obviously, you know, funds create resources and create results. Until that can happen, it's incumbent on the people and agencies doing this work to think outside of the box.”

It's a small step toward a solution.

“I walked away from here thinking that we were heard," Woodfork said.