Frederick County INTERCEPT (Inter Agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking) Task Force

The Frederick County Human Trafficking Task Force, coordinated by Operation Light Shine, seeks to address the persistent issue of human trafficking within Frederick County, Maryland—a locale characterized by its strategic positioning along major interstate corridors I-70 and I-270. This geographic setting facilitates not only legitimate commerce but also the clandestine movement of human trafficking victims, compounding the challenges of victim identification and criminal prosecution due to the area's high transient population and diverse urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. The task force, a partnership between the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office and Safe House Project, has requested federal funding for each applicant to enhance their collaborative efforts in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, as well as providing comprehensive victim services. The primary activities of the task force will include the implementation of a centralized data management system to track performance measures, intensive training sessions on human trafficking awareness, and targeted outreach and awareness campaigns in high-risk areas. Expected outcomes of the project include an increased rate of victim identification, improved prosecution of trafficking cases, and enhanced service provision to trafficking victims, with an emphasis on supporting survivor-informed decisions and autonomy.