LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - The Polaris Project released a study of laws passed by states to combat human trafficking that also ranks Arkansas in the bottom four.
The study says more than half of the states have passed laws to combat human trafficking, punish traffickers, and support survivors in the past year. In November Massachusetts passed a law that brought it from the bottom tier to the best earning "Most Improved".
South Carolina, West Virginia and Ohio are also praised for their improvements while Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and Arkansas are Polaris Project's "Faltering Four."
Polaris Project rated all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on ten categories of laws that are critical to a basic legal framework that addresses this crime and human rights abuse. Twenty-one states are currently in the top tier of ranking while the "Faltering Four" are in the bottom. Washington state ranks number one.
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline, operated by Polaris Project since December 2007, has received more than 57,000 calls from every state in the country, and connected more than 6,700 potential victims to services.
To report a tip, connect with anti-trafficking services in your area, or request information, call The National Human Trafficking Resource Center at: 1-888-3737-888.
The state ratings map and methodology, as well as tailored state-by-state reports, are available at http://www.PolarisProject.org/2012StateRatings.
Today's THV is speaking with the Catholic Diocese of Arkansas, who works closely with Polaris Project, on the state's ranking and human trafficking in Arkansas. We'll have that tonight on "Today's THV at 6:00".