Survey of Local Law Enforcement Agencies

U.S. Government Accountability Office

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Introduction

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a nonpartisan federal agency that conducts research for Congress. Congress has asked the GAO to study Native American human trafficking. For the purposes of this survey "Native American human trafficking" is human trafficking of Native American victims. This survey will enable us to report to Congress on the extent to which local law enforcement agencies have encountered human trafficking involving Native American victims, perspectives from those agencies on the availability of services for victims, and federal assistance received to combat human trafficking and assist victims.

To learn more about completing the survey and printing your responses click here for help.

GAO Contacts

If you have any questions about this GAO survey, please email:


GAOTraffickingSurvey@gao.gov

or call:

Marie Suding at 202-512-7109 or
Christoph Hoashi-Erhardt at 206-287-4891


Thank you in advance for your time and participation.

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All Human Trafficking Investigations from 2014, 2015 and 2016 (to date)

1. During calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date) did your law enforcement agency initiate any human trafficking investigations (i.e., sex or labor trafficking)?

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 0 55 4 2 61

To your knowledge, would each of the following services be available to Native American victims of human trafficking in your jurisdiction, if needed?

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Emergency shelter

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 5 0 1 61

Long term housing/shelter

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 3 0 3 61

Medical health

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 5 0 1 61

Mental health

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 4 0 2 61

Substance abuse services

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 4 0 2 61

Transportation

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 3 0 3 61

Someone to accompany to appointments or hearings

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 4 0 2 61

Legal services

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 3 0 3 61

Literacy education

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 2 0 4 61

Job training

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 2 0 4 61

Employment assistance

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 2 0 4 61

Life skills training

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 2 0 4 61

Relocation assistance

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 2 0 4 61

Traditional Native American healing methods (e.g., sweat lodges, women's circle)

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 0 0 6 61

All Human Trafficking Investigations from 2014, 2015 and 2016 (to date) (cont'd)

2. How many human trafficking investigations, if any, did your law enforcement agency initiate during calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date)? Enter numeric digits; enter "0" if no investigations were initiated.

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2014

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
23.4 13 0 110 38

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
39 6 16 61

2015

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
28.7 13 1 207 46

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
47 6 8 61

2016 (to date)

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
33.4 11 0 266 47

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
48 6 7 61

3. How many victims were associated with the human trafficking investigations initiated during calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date)? Enter numeric digits; enter "0" if no investigations were initiated.

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2014

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
26.3 13 0 110 32

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
33 6 22 61

2015

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
29.9 19 1 155 40

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
41 6 14 61

2016 (to date)

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
33.2 17 0 208 43

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
44 6 11 61

4. Were any of the victims involved in the human trafficking investigations initiated during calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date) Native American?

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
1 6 6 37 11 61

What was the information source(s) for the number of human trafficking investigations and victims reported in the preceding sections (e.g., case management system, paper records)?

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Data intentionally not reported


If the information source is a data system, please describe any procedures your law enforcement agency has in place to ensure the accuracy of the data reported.

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Data intentionally not reported


To your knowledge, would each of the following services be available to Native American victims of human trafficking in your jurisdiction, if needed?

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Emergency shelter

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 46 1 1 61

Long term housing/shelter

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 33 5 10 61

Medical health

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 44 0 4 61

Mental health

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
1 13 43 0 4 61

Substance abuse services

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
1 13 42 0 5 61

Transportation

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 41 2 5 61

Someone to accompany to appointments or hearings

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
1 13 38 0 9 61

Legal services

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 41 0 7 61

Literacy education

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
1 13 25 2 20 61

Job training

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 28 1 19 61

Employment assistance

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 30 2 16 61

Life skills training

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 30 2 16 61

Relocation assistance

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 28 3 17 61

Traditional Native American healing methods (e.g., sweat lodges, women's circle)

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 13 5 7 36 61

Investigations Involving Native American Victims

5. How many human trafficking investigations involving Native American victims did your law enforcement agency initiate in 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date)? Enter numeric digits; enter "0" if no investigations were initiated.

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2014

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
5.4 1 0 24 5

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
5 55 1 61

2015

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
3.6 1 0 13 5

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
5 55 1 61

2016 (to date)

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
3.0 1 0 12 5

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
5 55 1 61

6. How many individuals did your law enforcement agency arrest in association with the human trafficking investigations involving Native American victims initiated in 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date)? Enter numeric digits; enter "0" if no investigations were initiated.

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2014

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
3.3 1 0 10 6

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
6 55 0 61

2015

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
3.2 1 0 11 6

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
6 55 0 61

2016 (to date)

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
1.7 0 0 6 6

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
6 55 0 61

7. How many Native American victims were associated with the human trafficking investigations that your law enforcement agency initiated in 2014, 2015 and 2016 (to date)? Enter numeric digits; enter "0" if no investigations were initiated.

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2014

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
6.8 1 0 31 5

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
5 55 1 61

2015

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
4.8 1 0 19 5

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
5 55 1 61

2016 (to date)

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Number

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Mean Median Minimum Maximum Number
of respondents
4.6 1 0 20 5

Check if you don't know

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Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
5 55 1 61

Information about Native American Victims

Please click on the "Add" button below to enter information about each Native American victim associated with the investigations initiated in 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date).

(You may edit a case after you have added it by clicking on its link. Bold type indicates that you have completed this case.)

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[Sub-questionnaire was intentionally not reported.]

If additional Native American victims were associated with the human trafficking investigations initiated in 2014, 2015, or 2016, use the "Add" button above to add. If no additional victims, continue to the next question.

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Sources of Information Provided on Investigations

8. What was the information source(s) for the number of human trafficking investigations, arrests, and victims reported in the preceding sections (e.g., case management system, paper records)?

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Data intentionally not reported


If the information source is a data system, please describe any procedures your law enforcement agency has in place to ensure the accuracy of the data reported.

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Data intentionally not reported


Factors Associated with Native American Human Trafficking

9. In your opinion, what factors, if any, have contributed to human trafficking involving Native American victims in your jurisdiction?

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Data intentionally not reported


10. In your opinion, what factors, if any, have made it difficult for your law enforcement agency to investigate human trafficking involving Native American victims in your jurisdiction?

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Data intentionally not reported


11. During calendar years 2014, 2015, or 2016 (to date), were any of the Native American human trafficking victims you encountered reluctant to participate in the investigation or prosecution of their case?

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 5 0 1 61

In your opinion, how common is each of the following reasons why some Native American victims of human trafficking may not want to participate in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking cases?

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Victim distrusts law enforcement

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Not checked
Skip
Very common
Somewhat common Not at all common Don't know
Number of respondents
0 56 2 3 0 0 61

Victim is traumatized

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Not checked
Skip
Very common
Somewhat common Not at all common Don't know
Number of respondents
0 56 3 2 0 0 61

Victim is addicted to drugs

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Not checked
Skip
Very common
Somewhat common Not at all common Don't know
Number of respondents
0 56 2 3 0 0 61

Victim is sentimentally attached to the trafficker

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Not checked
Skip
Very common
Somewhat common Not at all common Don't know
Number of respondents
0 56 2 3 0 0 61

Victim fears retaliation from the trafficker

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Not checked
Skip
Very common
Somewhat common Not at all common Don't know
Number of respondents
0 56 4 1 0 0 61

Victim is underage and does not want to return home

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Not checked
Skip
Very common
Somewhat common Not at all common Don't know
Number of respondents
0 56 2 3 0 0 61

Victim does not see herself/himself as a victim

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Not checked
Skip
Very common
Somewhat common Not at all common Don't know
Number of respondents
0 56 2 3 0 0 61

In your opinion, what other possible reasons may explain why some Native American victims may not want to participate in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking cases?

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Data intentionally not reported


12. When investigating possible human trafficking involving Native American victims, how frequently have you identified the following types of crimes in the same investigation?

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Drug distribution or trafficking

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Not checked Skip Frequently Sometimes Rarely Don't Know Number of respondents
0 55 3 1 1 1 61

Offenses involving child pornography

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Not checked Skip Frequently Sometimes Rarely Don't Know Number of respondents
0 55 1 2 3 0 61

Gang activity

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Not checked Skip Frequently Sometimes Rarely Don't Know Number of respondents
0 55 0 4 1 1 61

Rape/sexual assault

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Not checked Skip Frequently Sometimes Rarely Don't Know Number of respondents
0 55 4 2 0 0 61

Domestic violence

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Not checked Skip Frequently Sometimes Rarely Don't Know Number of respondents
0 55 0 5 0 1 61

Kidnapping

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Not checked Skip Frequently Sometimes Rarely Don't Know Number of respondents
0 55 0 2 3 1 61

Money laundering

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Not checked Skip Frequently Sometimes Rarely Don't Know Number of respondents
0 55 1 2 2 1 61

13. What other crimes, if any, have you identified when investigating possible human trafficking involving Native American victims?

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Data intentionally not reported


Services Available to Native American Human Trafficking Victims

14. To your knowledge, would each of the following services be available to Native American victims of human trafficking in your jurisdiction, if needed?

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Emergency shelter

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 6 0 0 61

Long term housing/shelter

(View question)

Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 6 0 0 61

Medical health

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 6 0 0 61

Mental health

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 6 0 0 61

Substance abuse services

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 6 0 0 61

Transportation

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 5 0 1 61

Someone to accompany to appointments or hearings

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 6 0 0 61

Legal services

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 6 0 0 61

Literacy education

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 4 0 2 61

Job training

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 4 0 2 61

Employment assistance

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 4 0 2 61

Life skills training

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 6 0 0 61

Relocation assistance

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 4 0 2 61

Traditional Native American healing methods (e.g., sweat lodges, women's circle)

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 0 0 6 61

15. Based on your experience, to what extent is each of the following factors a barrier, if at all, to accessing services for Native American human trafficking victims in your jurisdiction?

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Victims were unaware of services available to them.

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Not checked Skip Major barrier Minor barrier Not a barrier Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 2 3 0 1 61

Trafficking victims were aware of the services, but were not able to reach service providers because of a lack of transportation.

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Not checked Skip Major barrier Minor barrier Not a barrier Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 0 3 1 2 61

Victims felt ashamed to seek services (i.e., the victim did not want others to know that he/she had been a victim of human trafficking)

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Not checked Skip Major barrier Minor barrier Not a barrier Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 4 0 1 1 61

Victims perceived a lack of community support for victims such as themselves

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Not checked Skip Major barrier Minor barrier Not a barrier Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 2 2 1 1 61

Victims saw their circumstances as an acceptable/inevitable lifestyle

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Not checked Skip Major barrier Minor barrier Not a barrier Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 3 2 0 1 61

Services were sometimes not available to victims

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Not checked Skip Major barrier Minor barrier Not a barrier Don't know Number of respondents
0 55 1 3 1 1 61

16. Based on your experience, what other factors, if any, present barriers to accessing services for Native American human trafficking victims in your jurisdiction?

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Data intentionally not reported


Native American Human Trafficking Reporting

17. Do you suspect that more human trafficking involving Native American victims is occurring in your jurisdiction beyond what's been brought to your attention?

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 0 10 25 26 61

18. Please explain why you do or do not suspect that there are more Native American human trafficking victims in your jurisdiction.

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Data intentionally not reported


Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking

19. During calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency have any initiatives to prevent and detect human trafficking, in general?

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
1 0 52 8 0 61

During calendar years 2014, 2015 and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency have any initiatives to prevent and detect human trafficking of Native American individuals, specifically?

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 9 2 46 4 61

Describe the initiatives that your law enforcement agency has implemented to prevent and detect human trafficking of Native American individuals.

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Data intentionally not reported


20. Does your law enforcement agency currently participate on a human trafficking task force(s)? (By task force, we mean a group of individuals who coordinate with one another with respect to conducting human trafficking investigations or providing assistance to victims.)

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
1 0 53 6 1 61

What types of agencies and organizations participate in the human trafficking task force(s)?

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1. Other local law enforcement agency(s)

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
12 8 41 61

2. Tribal law enforcement agency(s)

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
53 8 0 61

3. County sheriff's office

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
28 8 25 61

4. State police

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
24 8 29 61

5. State or local prosecutor

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
15 8 38 61

6. State Attorney General's office

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
20 8 33 61

7. Federal Bureau of Investigation

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
12 8 41 61

8. Homeland Security Investigations

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
15 8 38 61

9. U.S. Attorney's office

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
15 8 38 61

10. Religious organization(s)

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
28 8 25 61

11. Local school district(s)

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
40 8 13 61

12. Non-governmental organizations

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
16 8 37 61

13. Social service provider(s) for human trafficking victims

Not checked Skip Checked Number of respondents
16 8 37 61

Funding and Assistance

21. During calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency receive any funding from the following sources to help support your efforts to combat human trafficking involving Native American victims?

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Federal grant (including federal funding disbursed through a state agency)

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
0 0 5 45 11 61

State grant (not including federal funding disbursed through a state agency)

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
1 0 4 46 10 61

Local grant (not including federal funding disbursed through a local agency)

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
3 0 1 48 9 61

Private donations or fundraising

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Not checked Skip Yes No Don't know Number of respondents
2 0 2 46 11 61

Identify the name(s) of the federal agency(s), funding stream or grant program and the amount(s) of funding received. (If you do not know the name, indicate "Don't know".)

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Data intentionally not reported


How did your law enforcement agency use the federal funding received during calendar years 2014, 2015 and 2016 (to date) to help support efforts to combat human trafficking of Native American individuals? (If you don't know how the funding was used, indicate "Don't know".)

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Data intentionally not reported


22. What non-financial assistance, if any, did your law enforcement agency receive from the federal government to combat human trafficking of Native American individuals during calendar years 2014, 2015 and 2016 (to date)?

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Data intentionally not reported


23. What, if any, additional assistance (financial or non-financial) from the federal government would your law enforcement agency like to receive to help combat human trafficking of Native American individuals?

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Data intentionally not reported


24. Please provide any additional comments you have regarding the extent to which human trafficking of Native American individuals is occurring in your jurisdiction and efforts to address it and assist Native American victims.

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Data intentionally not reported


25. Please provide the following information for the person primarily responsible for completing this survey in case we need to contact you to clarify a response.
Enter letters or numbers in each box below.

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Name of respondent:

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Data intentionally not reported


Name of law enforcement agency:

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Data intentionally not reported


Telephone:

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Data intentionally not reported


Email:

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Data intentionally not reported


Submit Your Final Responses to GAO

26. Are you ready to submit your final completed survey to GAO?
(This is equivalent to mailing a completed paper survey to us. It tells us that your answers are official and final.)

(View question)

Yes, my survey
is complete
Number of respondents
61 61

You may view and print your completed survey by clicking on Print button below.

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