Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Five-Year Statewide Plan to Address Sex Trafficking

Boston — In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking (GCSADVHT) released its Five-Year Statewide Plan to Address Sex Trafficking. Created through the collaborative efforts of the Sex Trafficking Branch of the Human Trafficking Subcommittee (HTS) of GCSADVHT, the plan offers a roadmap for Massachusetts with actionable steps to prevent sex trafficking across the state, to improve the lives of survivors, and to hold exploiters and buyers accountable. 

“Human trafficking is happening in our communities – in Massachusetts and across the country and the world. As Attorney General, my office investigated and prosecuted human traffickers while also expanding resources for survivors. As Governor, I want to make sure we are doing all that we can to prevent human trafficking, hold perpetrators accountable and support survivors,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’m deeply grateful to the Council, including Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Executive Director Vilma Uribe, for their work on these recommendations. This plan is an important step toward ending the exploitation of human beings in Massachusetts and protecting survivors across the state.”

“As Chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking, I’ve met with survivors of human trafficking and their stories are important reminders of the urgency behind this work,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking. “This plan came together with the input of advocates, community partners, and people with lived experiences. It outlines meaningful, actionable steps we can take to ensure we’re holding perpetrators accountable and supporting survivors across the state.”

“Human trafficking thrives in the shadows, and this Five-Year Statewide Plan to Address Sex Trafficking will keep this critical issue in the spotlight, address the root causes of sex trafficking, and support survivors in achieving justice and improving their lives,” said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “As Attorney General, I will continue to investigate and prosecute these crimes through my Human Trafficking Division, as well as provide support to survivors and their loved ones. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the entire Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking for their continued dedication to addressing this issue.”    

The plan is broken up into six recommendation areas with clearly defined outcomes, and each outcome is driven by actionable steps to advance a framework for healing, recovery, and accountability over the course of five years.  

The recommendation areas are: 

• Leadership: Increasing statewide capacity and expertise to address sex trafficking. 
• Empowerment: Expand support services for survivors. 
• Justice: Achieve justice for survivors of sex trafficking.
• Collaboration: Build sustainable structures and enhance coordination of anti-sex trafficking efforts. 
• Prevention: Prioritize impactful multi-level prevention efforts. 
• Measurement: Develop outcome measurement systems and data sharing opportunities. 

The plan development process incorporated a comprehensive stakeholder engagement approach, including a literature review of existing data and strategic plans, a survey of 76 stakeholders, interviews with over 60 individuals, and 10 focus groups with survivors, law enforcement personnel, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other key stakeholders. Throughout the process, ForHealth Consulting at the UMass Chan Medical School coordinated the development, and survivors provided leadership and guidance through the Human Trafficking Subcommittee Advisory Group, which was specifically convened to inform this plan's development.

“Throughout my career working alongside investigators, prosecutors, and advocates, I’ve seen firsthand that preventing and responding to sex trafficking demands teamwork and that survivors deserve a system that provides a clear path to safety and support,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “No single agency can meet this challenge alone, and survivors should not have to navigate it alone. This five-year plan is our shared commitment to close gaps, strengthen coordination, and improve outcomes for survivors across Massachusetts.” 

“This effort has been a strong, multi sector partnership between survivors, health and human services agencies, law enforcement and others working together,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “This plan builds on the progress we’ve made in Massachusetts and provides a comprehensive roadmap for collaborative action over the next five years to address trafficking and exploitation. We look forward to continuing work with our partners, and bringing new partners to the table, to prevent sex trafficking and improve outcomes for survivors.”

“This initiative marks a turning point in our state's response to exploitation. By addressing the root causes and streamlining the path to justice and healing, we are setting a new standard for how to support sex trafficking survivors and hold offenders accountable,” said Vilma Uribe, Executive Director of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking.

“The Plan represents an unprecedented collaboration between government, service providers, researchers, and law enforcement, and was led by people with lived experience. I believe that this plan will make a measurable difference in the lives of marginalized people in the Commonwealth– those who are at the greatest risk of being trafficked and those being harmed today,” said Lisa Goldblatt Grace, Co-Chair of the Sex Trafficking Branch of the HTS of GCSADVHT.  

The Council is also announcing a new Trust administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services that will be established to help implement the plan through public-private support. John and Elizabeth McQuillan, Massachusetts philanthropists, have committed to seeding this fund with a direct donation and a matching pledge of an additional $100,000 to encourage other individuals and foundations to donate. In the first year of the plan, other private sector funders and donors may contribute to the Trust to support the Plan. 

“Protecting vulnerable people from exploitation requires durable systems, not one-off interventions. The Healey-Driscoll Administration understands that effective public-private partnerships demand long-term commitment, rigor, and shared accountability—and that’s why I chose to support this effort,” said John McQuillan.

In her first year in office, Governor Healey signed Executive Order 611, expanded the scope of the Council to include Human Trafficking. The Council is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, led by Executive Director Uribe, and includes members of the administration and their respective designees, 34 individuals appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and over 150 subcommittee members.   

In her FY27 budget, to better ensure justice for survivors of sexual assault, Governor Healey included an outside section clarifying that all Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits (SAECKs) must be stored for a minimum of 15 years and eliminating the statute of limitations in cases of rape when a DNA match exists, allowing for prosecution beyond the 15-year statute of limitations when DNA technology has identified a suspect. 

Governor Healey has also signed several laws aimed at protecting and supporting survivors, including expanding protections for victims of sexual assault by health care providers, cracking down on ghost guns and strengthening violence prevention, and banning revenge porn, preventing abuse and exploitation.      

Read the plan in full. 

Statements of Support

Audra Doody, Survivor and Co-Executive Director of Safe Exit Initiative: 
“As a survivor, being part of the Human Trafficking Subcommittee's Survivor Advisory Board is incredibly empowering; it gives people with lived experience a platform to share experiences and insights, allowing for meaningful change. The collaborative spirit of dedicated individuals has sparked insistent work to ensure that victims of human trafficking receive not only the best resources and services but also the compassion and understanding they truly deserve, making survivors feel seen and heard in our shared journey towards healing and justice.”

Audrey Morrissey, Survivor and Executive Director of My Life My Choice: 
“It has been such an honor to work with amazing survivors and some of the best allies in the country. I'm proud to be a survivor in the state of Massachusetts. This strategic plan shows our commitment to providing services for survivors of trafficking.”

District Attorney Kevin Hayden, Suffolk District Attorney:  
“As a society we need to become more aware of the instances and dangers of sex trafficking, and we need an effective approach to recognizing and reducing its prevalence. The 5-year Statewide Plan achieves both of these goals and presents a solid blueprint for moving forward. I'm hopeful that this plan will provide an example for all other states to follow.”

District Attorney Paul Tucker, Essex District Attorney: 
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as a council member among other state and local leaders, and community members. The commitment by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to prioritize combating sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking through statewide efforts will result in safer communities, enhanced responses, and resources, allowing individuals affected to move forward.”

District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Worcester District Attorney: 
“I applaud Governor Healey’s efforts to prevent and end human sex trafficking. These efforts help put our focus on our victims, our survivors, and on preventing these horrible acts by bringing a greater awareness to the problem.” 

###