FLAGSTAFF, AZ – In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the North Star Task Force: Survivor-Informed Trafficking Awareness and Response is proud to announce its official launch, uniting key agencies and survivor-centered leadership to combat human trafficking in Northern Arizona.
Comprised of the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, Flagstaff Police Department, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, NAU Police Department, Northland Family Help Center, and Applejack’s Ranch, the North Star Task Force is a groundbreaking collaboration dedicated to reshaping prevention, identification, and response efforts.
“The launch of the North Star Task Force is a monumental step forward for Northern Arizona,” said Coconino Sheriff Bret Axlund. “By uniting key agencies, survivor leaders, and local organizations under a common goal, we can ensure survivors have access to the care they deserve while addressing the root causes of human trafficking.”
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker added, “The fight against human trafficking requires a collective and community-driven effort. We are committed to holding traffickers accountable in the legal system to protect and support survivors of these crimes.”
Central to this collaborative effort is the recognition that survivor leadership is essential in shaping meaningful change, as emphasized by Savannah Sanders, Executive Director of Applejack’s Ranch
“As a survivor-led organization, Applejack’s Ranch is honored to be a founding partner of the North Star Task Force, where survivor voices will guide the work,” said Savannah Sanders, “This initiative marks a transformative shift in addressing human trafficking by placing lived experience at the heart of decision-making. The North Star Task Force is more than a collaboration, it’s a commitment to creating communities where survivors are supported and leading with purpose and intention.”
The North Star Task Force emerged as a collaborative solution to address the unique challenges our communities face, including a lack of coordinated services, limited awareness, and gaps in survivor-centered care.
“Our department remains dedicated to providing training to officers, partnering with community organizations, and supporting survivors with resources and pathways to recovery,” said Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly. “We ask our community to stay informed, recognize the signs of trafficking and report suspicious behavior.”
About the North Star Task Force
Our mission is to lead with survivor-informed practices, raise awareness, and deliver a coordinated response to human trafficking in Northern Arizona. By centering survivor voices and leveraging multidisciplinary partnerships, the task force will bridge critical service gaps, enhance community understanding, and implement trauma-informed systems to better serve survivors, prevent and address exploitation in our community.
