Survey of Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies

U.S. Government Accountability Office

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 human trafficking in Indian Country and of Native Americans outside of Indian Country. This survey will enable us to report to Congress on the extent to which human trafficking is occurring in Indian Country, perspectives on the availabilty 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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Information about the Tribes You Serve

1.	For how many federally recognized tribes does your law enforcement agency provide law enforcement services? Enter numeric digits

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Number of tribes:

Check here if you don’t know


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2.	Please provide the name(s) of the federally recognized tribe(s) that your law enforcement agency provides law enforcement services to.

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3.	Does the tribe, or at least one of the tribes, for which your agency provides law enforcement services operate one or more casinos?

			Yes
			No
			Don’t know
		↻ Reset
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4.	Which state(s) contain the land where your law enforcement agency has jurisdiction?
	(Check all that apply)
		Alabama
		Alaska
		Arizona
		California
		Colorado
		Connecticut
		Florida
		Idaho
		Iowa
		Kansas
		Louisiana
		Maine
		Massachusetts
		Michigan
		Minnesota
		Mississippi
		Montana
		Nebraska
		Nevada
		New Mexico
		New York
		North Carolina
		North Dakota
		Oklahoma
		Oregon
		Rhode Island
		South Carolina
		South Dakota
		Texas
		Utah
		Virginia
		Washington
		Wisconsin
		Wyoming
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Human Trafficking Statute(s)

5.	Does your law enforcement agency have authority to use the following types of criminal statutes to investigate or perform other law enforcement activities related to human trafficking (i.e., sex or labor trafficking) in your jurisdiction? (Check one in each row.) Please consider only statutes that specifically address human trafficking (sex or labor trafficking). In general, human trafficking could involve the exploitation of a person, typically through the use of force, fraud or coercion, for various purposes such as a commercial sex act, or subjection to forced labor, involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or slavery.

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		Yes	No, to my knowledge statute exists, but my agency does not have authority to implement it.	No, to my knowledge statute does not exist	Don’t know	Reset
	Federal human trafficking statute (View responses)					↻
	State human trafficking statute (View responses)					↻
	Local human trafficking statute (View responses)					↻
	Tribal human trafficking statute (View responses)					↻

5A.	How many of the tribes for which your law enforcement agency provides law enforcement services have a statute(s) that criminalizes human trafficking (i.e., sex or labor trafficking)? Enter numeric digits

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Number of tribes:

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5B.	Please provide the citation(s) for the tribal human trafficking statute(s) (i.e., criminal code section) that your law enforcement agency has authority to use.

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5C.	During calendar years 2014, 2015 and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency initiate any investigations specifically related to the tribe’s human trafficking statutes? (Check one in each row.)

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		Yes	No	Don’t know	Reset
	2014 (View responses)				↻
	2015 (View responses)				↻
	2016 (to date) (View responses)				↻

Investigations Involving Human Trafficking

	This section of the survey asks questions about investigations that you consider to have involved human trafficking, regardless of whether the tribe(s) for which you provide law enforcement services has a human trafficking statute. In general, human trafficking could involve the exploitation of a person, typically through the use of force, fraud or coercion, for various purposes such as a commercial sex act, or subjection to forced labor, involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or slavery.

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6.	During calendar years 2014, 2015 and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency initiate any investigations that you consider to have involved human trafficking (i.e., sex or labor trafficking), regardless of whether a tribal human trafficking statute(s) exists?

			Yes
			No
			Don’t know
		↻ Reset
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Services Available to Human Trafficking Victims

6A.	To your knowledge, would each of the following services be available in your jurisdiction for Native American and non-Native American human trafficking victims, if needed? (Check all that apply in each row.)

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		Available to Native American tribal members	Available to Native American non-tribal members	Available to non-Native Americans	Not available	Don’t know
	Emergency shelter (View responses)
	Long term housing/shelter (View responses)
	Medical health (View responses)
	Mental health (View responses)
	Substance abuse services (View responses)
	Transportation (View responses)
	Someone to accompany victim to appointments or hearings (View responses)

		Available to Native American tribal members	Available to Native American non-tribal members	Available to non-Native Americans	Not available	Don’t know
	Legal services (View responses)
	Literacy education (View responses)
	Job training (View responses)
	Employment assistance (View responses)
	Life skills training (View responses)
	Relocation assistance (View responses)
	Traditional Native American healing methods (e.g., sweat lodges, women’s circle) (View responses)

	Please click on the link below to skip to Question 21. Based on your previous responses, questions 7-20 would not apply to your law enforcement agency.

	Click here to skip to question 21
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Crimes Considered to be Human Trafficking

7.	What types of criminal activity does your agency consider to be human trafficking?

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Human Trafficking Investigations in 2014

8.	In 2014, did your law enforcement agency initiate any investigations that you consider to have involved human trafficking (i.e., sex or labor trafficking)?

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
		↻ Reset
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8A.	How many investigations did your law enforcement agency initiate in 2014 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

	(View responses)

Number of investigations:

Check here if you don’t know


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8B.	How many individuals did your law enforcement agency arrest in association with the investigations initiated in 2014 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

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Number of individuals arrested:

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8C.	How many victims were associated with investigations initiated in 2014 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

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Number of victims:

Check here if you don’t know


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	Please click on the Add button below to enter information about each victim associated with the investigations initiated in 2014 that you consider to have involved human trafficking. (You may edit a case after you have added it by clicking on its link. Bold type indicates that you have completed this case.)
	(Click Add to add another case.)
	[Sub-questionnaire was intentionally not reported.]

	If additional victims were associated with the investigations that you consider to have involved human trafficking in 2014, use the “Add” button above to add. If no additional victims, continue to the next question.

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Human Trafficking Investigations in 2015

9.	In 2015, did your law enforcement agency initiate any investigations that you consider to have involved human trafficking (i.e., sex or labor trafficking)?

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
		↻ Reset
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9A.	How many investigations did your law enforcement agency initiate in 2015 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

	(View responses)

Number of investigations:

Check here if you don’t know


	(View responses)


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9B.	How many individuals did your law enforcement agency arrest in association with the investigations initiated in 2015 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

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Number of individuals arrested:

Check here if you don’t know


	(View responses)


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9C.	How many victims were associated with investigations initiated in 2015 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

	(View responses)

Number of victims:

Check here if you don’t know


	(View responses)


	(View responses)

	Please click on the Add button below to enter information about each victim associated with the investigations initiated in 2015 that you consider to have involved human trafficking. (You may edit a case after you have added it by clicking on its link. Bold type indicates that you have completed this case.)
	(Click Add to add another case.)
	[Sub-questionnaire was intentionally not reported.]

	If additional victims were associated with the investigations that you consider to have involved human trafficking in 2015, use the “Add” button above to add. If no additional victims, continue to the next question.

	(View responses)

Human Trafficking Investigations in 2016 (to date)

10.	In 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency initiate any investigations that you consider to have involved human trafficking (i.e., sex or labor trafficking)?

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
		↻ Reset
	(View responses)

10A.	How many investigations did your law enforcement agency initiate in 2016 (to date) that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

	(View responses)

Number of investigations:

Check here if you don’t know


	(View responses)


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10B.	How many individuals did your law enforcement agency arrest in association with the investigations initiated in 2016 (to date) that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

	(View responses)

Number of individuals arrested:

Check here if you don’t know


	(View responses)


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10C.	How many victims were associated with investigations initiated in 2016 (to date) that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits

	(View responses)

Number of victims:

Check here if you don’t know


	(View responses)


	(View responses)

	Please click on the Add button below to enter information about each victim associated with the investigations initiated in 2016 (to date) that you consider to have involved human trafficking. (You may edit a case after you have added it by clicking on its link. Bold type indicates that you have completed this case.)
	(Click Add to add another case.)
	[Sub-questionnaire was intentionally not reported.]

	If additional victims were associated with the investigations that you consider to have involved human trafficking in 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

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

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12.	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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Factors Associated with Human Trafficking

13.	In your opinion, what factors, if any, have contributed to human trafficking on tribal land in your jurisdiction?

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14.	In your opinion, what factors, if any, have made it difficult for your law enforcement agency to investigate human trafficking on tribal land in your jurisdiction?

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

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
		↻ Reset
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15AA.	In your opinion, how common is each of the following reasons why some human trafficking victims may not want to participate in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking cases? (Check one in each row.)

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		Very common	Somewhat common	Not at all common	Don’t know	Reset
	Victim distrusts law enforcement (View responses)					↻
	Victim is traumatized (View responses)					↻
	Victim is addicted to drugs (View responses)					↻
	Victim is sentimentally attached to the trafficker (View responses)					↻
	Victim fears retaliation from the trafficker (View responses)					↻
	Victim is underage and does not want to return home (View responses)					↻
	Victim does not see herself/himself as a victim (View responses)					↻

15BB.	In your opinion, what other possible reasons may explain why victims may not want to participate in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking cases?

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16.	When investigating possible human trafficking, how frequently have you identified the following types of crimes in the same investigation? (Check one in each row.)

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		Frequently	Sometimes	Rarely	Don’t Know	Reset
	Drug distribution or trafficking (View responses)					↻
	Offenses involving child pornography (View responses)					↻
	Gang activity (View responses)					↻
	Rape/sexual assault (View responses)					↻
	Domestic violence (View responses)					↻
	Kidnapping (View responses)					↻
	Money laundering (View responses)					↻

17.	What other crimes, if any, have you identified when investigating possible human trafficking?

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Services Available to Human Trafficking Victims

18.	To your knowledge, would each of the following services be available in your jurisdiction for Native American and non-Native American human trafficking victims, if needed? (Check all that apply in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Available to Native American tribal members	Available to Native American non-tribal members	Available to non-Native Americans	Not available	Don’t know
	Emergency shelter (View responses)
	Long term housing/shelter (View responses)
	Medical health (View responses)
	Mental health (View responses)
	Substance abuse services (View responses)
	Transportation (View responses)
	Someone to accompany victim to appointments or hearings (View responses)

		Available to Native American tribal members	Available to Native American non-tribal members	Available to non-Native Americans	Not available	Don’t know
	Legal services (View responses)
	Literacy education (View responses)
	Job training (View responses)
	Employment assistance (View responses)
	Life skills training (View responses)
	Relocation assistance (View responses)
	Traditional Native American healing methods (e.g., sweat lodges, women’s circle) (View responses)

19.	Based on your experience, to what extent is each of the following factors a barrier, if at all, to accessing services for human trafficking victims on tribal land in your jurisdiction? (Check one in each row.)

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		Major barrier	Minor barrier	Not a barrier	Don’t know	Reset
	Victims were unaware of services available to them. (View responses)					↻
	Trafficking victims were aware of the services, but were not able to reach service providers because of a lack of transportation. (View responses)					↻
	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) (View responses)					↻
	Victims perceived a lack of community support for victims such as themselves (View responses)					↻
	Victims saw their circumstances as an acceptable/inevitable lifestyle (View responses)					↻
	Services were sometimes not available to victims (View responses)					↻

20.	Based on your experience, what other factors, if any, present barriers to accessing services for human trafficking victims on tribal land in your jurisdiction?

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Human Trafficking Reporting

21.	Do you suspect that more human trafficking is occurring on tribal land in your jurisdiction beyond what’s been brought to your attention?

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
		↻ Reset
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	Please explain why you do or do not suspect that there is more human trafficking on tribal land in your jurisdiction.

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Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking

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

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
		↻ Reset
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	Describe the initiatives that your law enforcement agency has implemented to prevent and detect human trafficking.

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23.	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.)

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
		↻ Reset
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Funding and Assistance

24.	During calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency receive any funding from the following sources to help support efforts to combat human trafficking? (Check one in each row.)

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		Yes	No	Don’t know	Reset
	Federal grant (including federal funding disbursed through a state agency) (View responses)				↻
	State grant (not including federal funding disbursed through a state agency) (View responses)				↻
	Local grant (not including federal funding disbursed through a local agency) (View responses)				↻
	Grant or other funding from Indian Tribe (View responses)				↻
	Private donations or fundraising (View responses)				↻

24AA.	During calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency receive any funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to support efforts to combat human trafficking?

			Yes
			No
			Don’t know
		↻ Reset
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	Identify the name of the Department of Health and Human Services 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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	How was the Department of Health and Human Services funding received during calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date) used to help support efforts to combat human trafficking? (If you don’t know how the funding was used, indicate “Don’t know.”)

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24BA.	During calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency receive any funding from the Department of Justice to support efforts to combat human trafficking?

			Yes
			No
			Don’t know
		↻ Reset
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24BB.	Identify the name of the Department of Justice 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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24BC.	How was the Department of Justice funding received during calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date) used to help support efforts to combat human trafficking? (If you don’t know how the funding was used, indicate “Don’t know.”)

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24CA.	During calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency receive any funding from other federal agencies to help support efforts to combat human trafficking?

			Yes
			No
			Don’t know
		↻ Reset
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24CB.	Identify the name 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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24CC.	How was the federal funding received during calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date) used to help support efforts to combat human trafficking? (If you don’t know how the funding was used, indicate “Don’t know.”)

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25.	During calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 (to date), did your law enforcement agency receive any of the following from the federal government to combat human trafficking? (Check one in each row.)

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		Yes	No	Don’t know	Reset
	Public awareness campaign materials related to human trafficking (View responses)				↻
	Training for Tribal law enforcement officers to identify, investigate, or prosecute human trafficking; including trainings provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) (View responses)				↻
	Assistance with conducting joint human trafficking investigations (View responses)				↻

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

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27.	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?

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28.	Please provide any additional comments you have regarding the extent to which human trafficking is occurring in Indian Country and efforts to address it and assist victims.

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29.	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: (View responses)
	Name of law enforcement agency: (View responses)
	Telephone: (View responses)
	Email: (View responses)