​ST. PAUL, Minn. — Human trafficking convictions in Minnesota more than doubled from 2012 to 2013 according to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

The annual Human Trafficking in Minnesota report to the legislature shows a growing awareness of the problem by service providers and law enforcement agencies in the state. The report found:

• Human trafficking convictions doubled from 31 in 2012 to 63 in 2013. Convictions are up considerably from 13 in 2007 – the first year of the report. 
• Nearly three quarters (74 percent) of service providers surveyed provided services to a victim of human trafficking. 
• Service providers who responded to the OJP survey reported working with:
• 19 girls
• 35 boys
• 202 women
• 35 men
  These numbers are an underrepresentation of the extent of human trafficking in Minnesota. Some victims are reluctant to report the crime and one provider who specifically serves human trafficking victims did not respond to the OJP survey.
• 76 percent of service providers reported working with sex trafficking victims who are U.S citizens or residents as compared to 22 percent of service providers who reported working with international victims.
   
  “Human trafficking, by its very nature, is a hidden crime whose victims often go unidentified, misidentified or undiscovered,” said Raeone Magnuson, OJP director.  “Trafficking is a global and domestic problem that requires strong partnerships between service providers, law enforcement and prosecutors to protect victims.” 
   
   
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  Editor’s Note:
  The full report is available online here http://tinyurl.com/lxy669f