Marianas Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF) Project Setbe yan Protehi (Project Serve and Protect)

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Guam and Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence (GCASAFV) are collaborating on Project Setbe yan Protehi, a joint application for consideration under Purpose Area 1 and Priority Consideration 1(A) of the Office for Victims of Crime, FY2022 Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking grant solicitation, Opportunity Number: O-OVC-2022-171264, CFDA 16.320.

The Project Setbe yan Protehi goal is to reestablish the Marianas Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF) and support a sustainable, multidisciplinary task force to combat human trafficking on Guam with resources for staff, training, investigations, prosecutions, and services. The OAG will serve as the lead law enforcement applicant and will submit its application for $750,000; GCASAFV will serve as the victim service provider applicant and will submit for $750,000.

Investigations & Prosecutions. Data on human trafficking cases may not warrant attention as a priority for Guam’s law enforcement. The OAG investigated one human trafficking case in May 2022 and referred to US Citizenship and Immigration Services due to jurisdiction restraints. The OAG investigated a report in April 2022 of a suspected victim posting on Tinder; the OAG referred to Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. HIS reported one investigation in 2020, in 2019, and in 2018.

Victims Served. The Bureau of Women’s Affairs received a call in 2020 from a human trafficking victim for assistance. The OAG funded six subgrantees to assist trafficking victims – only one labor trafficking case was reported. HIS reported two labor trafficking victims served in 2020; three victims of labor/sex trafficking served in 2019; and four sex/labor trafficking victims served in 2018. Victim Advocates Reaching Out served two sex trafficking victims plus a minor child and one minor sex trafficking victim in 2019.

Priority Consideration. The OAG and GCASAFV are requesting consideration under Priority 1(A) in support of Executive Order 13985 . The project seeks to serve human trafficking victims, targeting underserved communities such as migrants from the Freely Associated States, tourists, persons with disabilities, persons with lower socio-economic status, and persons with substance abuse disorders. Of Guam’s current population of 169,086, 83% are Asian (34%) and Pacific Islanders (49%).

With Guam's statute that created the Marianas Human Trafficking Task Force, OVC funding will afford Guam the opportunity to strengthen a coordinated law enforcement and victim services response to human trafficking and in the region as it impacts Guam.