Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Monroe County’s VIPER Case Stats Since 2021

Monroe County: January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and it’s a serious issue everywhere, including right here in Monroe County.

Back in 2021, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office kicked off a program called VIPER, which stands for Violent Internet Predator Exploitation Response. Since then, they’ve tackled 53 local cases. Out of those, 30 led to arrests or were handed over to prosecutors.

Sheriff Troy Goodnough shared that the cases range from prostitution to child exploitation and human trafficking. Here’s how the numbers break down: 31 cases in 2021, 8 in 2022, and 16 each in 2023 and 2024.

VIPER is made up of detectives from the Sheriff’s Office and Monroe City Police, along with deputies from the Uniform Services Division. They got some great training and resources from a similar program in Genesee County called GHOST.

The Monroe County Anti Human Trafficking Coalition is also on the front lines, working alongside VIPER to fight against human trafficking. They host local events, though none are scheduled right now. But if you want to learn more, you can reach out to coalition members for presentations.

There’s an event coming up in New Boston, too. The Huron Township Rotary Club is hosting “Traffic Jam: An Open Dialogue about Keeping Your Kids Safe” on February 13. It’s a chance for parents and young adults to get info on keeping safe.

If you suspect human trafficking in Monroe County, you can call the VIPER hotline at 734-240-7535 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.

Want to help? The coalition suggests mentoring vulnerable youth and learning more about the issue through books and films. There are resources available, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign and the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force.

For more info, you can also check out Monroe’s Family Counseling and Shelter Services. They’re there to help with violence against women.