Survey of Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Contents
- Introduction
- Information about the Tribes You Serve
- Human Trafficking Statute(s)
- Investigations Involving Human Trafficking
- Services Available to Human Trafficking Victims
- Crimes Considered to be Human Trafficking
- Human Trafficking Investigations in 2014
- Human Trafficking Investigations in 2015
- Human Trafficking Investigations in 2016 (to date)
- Sources of Information Provided on Investigations
- Factors Associated with Human Trafficking
- Services Available to Human Trafficking Victims
- Human Trafficking Reporting
- Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
- Funding and Assistance
- Submit Your Final Responses to GAO
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.
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
Number of tribes
Check here if you don't know
2. Please provide the name(s) of the federally recognized tribe(s) that your law enforcement agency provides law enforcement services to.
3. Does the tribe, or at least one of the tribes, for which your agency provides law enforcement services operate one or more casinos?
4. Which state(s) contain the land where your law enforcement agency has jurisdiction?
1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. California
5. Colorado
6. Connecticut
7. Florida
8. Idaho
9. Iowa
10. Kansas
11. Louisiana
12. Maine
13. Massachusetts
14. Michigan
15. Minnesota
16. Mississippi
17. Montana
18. Nebraska
19. Nevada
20. New Mexico
21. New York
22. North Carolina
23. North Dakota
24. Oklahoma
25. Oregon
26. Rhode Island
27. South Carolina
28. South Dakota
29. Texas
30. Utah
31. Virginia
32. Washington
33. Wisconsin
34. Wyoming
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.
Federal human trafficking statute
| Not checked | Skip | 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 | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 94 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 132 |
State human trafficking statute
| Not checked | Skip | 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 | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 82 | 27 | 7 | 9 | 132 |
Local human trafficking statute
| Not checked | Skip | 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 | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 0 | 17 | 14 | 57 | 25 | 132 |
Tribal human trafficking statute
| Not checked | Skip | 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 | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 81 | 12 | 132 |
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
Number of tribes
Check here if you don't know
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.
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.)
2014
2015
2016 (to date)
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.
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?
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.)
Emergency shelter
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Long term housing/shelter
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Medical health
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Mental health
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Substance abuse services
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Transportation
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Someone to accompany victim to appointments or hearings
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Legal services
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Literacy education
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Job training
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Employment assistance
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Life skills training
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Relocation assistance
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Traditional Native American healing methods (e.g., sweat lodges, women's circle)
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Crimes Considered to be Human Trafficking
7. What types of criminal activity does your agency consider to be human trafficking?
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)?
8A. How many investigations did your law enforcement agency initiate in 2014 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits
Number of investigations
Check here if you don't know
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
Number of individuals arrested
Check here if you don't know
8C. How many victims were associated with investigations initiated in 2014 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits
Number of victims
Check here if you don't know
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.)
Sub-questionnaire was intentionally not reported
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)?
9A. How many investigations did your law enforcement agency initiate in 2015 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits
Number of investigations
Check here if you don't know
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
Number of individuals arrested
Check here if you don't know
9C. How many victims were associated with investigations initiated in 2015 that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits
Number of victims
Check here if you don't know
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.)
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.
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)?
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
Number of investigations
Check here if you don't know
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
Number of individuals arrested
Check here if you don't know
10C. How many victims were associated with investigations initiated in 2016 (to date) that you consider to have involved human trafficking? Enter numeric digits
Number of victims
Check here if you don't know
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.)
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.
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)?
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.
Factors Associated with Human Trafficking
13. In your opinion, what factors, if any, have contributed to human trafficking on tribal land in your jurisdiction?
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?
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?
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.)
Victim distrusts law enforcement
| Not checked |
Skip |
Very common |
Somewhat common | Not at all common | Don't know |
Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 114 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 132 |
Victim is traumatized
| Not checked |
Skip |
Very common |
Somewhat common | Not at all common | Don't know |
Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 114 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 132 |
Victim is addicted to drugs
| Not checked |
Skip |
Very common |
Somewhat common | Not at all common | Don't know |
Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 114 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 132 |
Victim is sentimentally attached to the trafficker
| Not checked |
Skip |
Very common |
Somewhat common | Not at all common | Don't know |
Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 114 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 132 |
Victim fears retaliation from the trafficker
| Not checked |
Skip |
Very common |
Somewhat common | Not at all common | Don't know |
Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 114 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 132 |
Victim is underage and does not want to return home
| Not checked |
Skip |
Very common |
Somewhat common | Not at all common | Don't know |
Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 114 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 132 |
Victim does not see herself/himself as a victim
| Not checked |
Skip |
Very common |
Somewhat common | Not at all common | Don't know |
Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 114 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 132 |
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?
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.)
Drug distribution or trafficking
Offenses involving child pornography
Gang activity
Rape/sexual assault
Domestic violence
Kidnapping
Money laundering
17. What other crimes, if any, have you identified when investigating possible human trafficking?
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.)
Emergency shelter
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Long term housing/shelter
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Medical health
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Mental health
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Substance abuse services
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Transportation
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Someone to accompany victim to appointments or hearings
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Legal services
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Literacy education
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Job training
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Employment assistance
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Life skills training
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Relocation assistance
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
Traditional Native American healing methods (e.g., sweat lodges, women's circle)
1. Available to Native American tribal members
2. Available to Native American non-tribal members
3. Available to non-Native Americans
4. Not available
5. Don't know
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.)
Victims were unaware of services available to them.
| Not checked | Skip | Major barrier | Minor barrier | Not a barrier | Don't know | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 105 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 132 |
Trafficking victims were aware of the services, but were not able to reach service providers because of a lack of transportation.
| Not checked | Skip | Major barrier | Minor barrier | Not a barrier | Don't know | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 105 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 132 |
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)
| Not checked | Skip | Major barrier | Minor barrier | Not a barrier | Don't know | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 105 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 132 |
Victims perceived a lack of community support for victims such as themselves
| Not checked | Skip | Major barrier | Minor barrier | Not a barrier | Don't know | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 105 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 132 |
Victims saw their circumstances as an acceptable/inevitable lifestyle
| Not checked | Skip | Major barrier | Minor barrier | Not a barrier | Don't know | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 105 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 132 |
Services were sometimes not available to victims
| Not checked | Skip | Major barrier | Minor barrier | Not a barrier | Don't know | Number of respondents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 105 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 132 |
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?
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?
Please explain why you do or do not suspect that there is more human trafficking on tribal land in your jurisdiction.
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?
Describe the initiatives that your law enforcement agency has implemented to prevent and detect human trafficking.
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.)
What types of agencies and organizations participate in the human trafficking task force(s)?
1. Other tribal law enforcement agency(s)
2. Local, non-tribal law enforcement agency(s)
3. County sheriff's office
4. State police
5. State or local prosecutor
6. State Attorney General's office
7. Federal Bureau of Investigation
8. Homeland Security Investigations
9. U.S. Attorney's office
10. Religious organization(s)
11. Local school district(s)
12. Non-governmental organizations
13. Social service provider(s) for human trafficking victims
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.)
Federal grant (including federal funding disbursed through a state agency)
State grant (not including federal funding disbursed through a state agency)
Local grant (not including federal funding disbursed through a local agency)
Grant or other funding from Indian Tribe
Private donations or fundraising
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?
24AB. 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.)
24AC. 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 do not know how the funding was used, indicate don't know.)
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?
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.)
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.)
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?
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.)
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.)
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.)
Public awareness campaign materials related to human trafficking
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)
Assistance with conducting joint human trafficking investigations
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)?
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?
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.
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.
Name of respondent:
Name of law enforcement agency:
Telephone:
Email:
Submit Your Final Responses to GAO
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tells us that your answers are official and final.)
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