Chester County Libraries Provide Human Trafficking Hotline

WEST CHESTER, PA —The Chester County Sheriff’s office partnered with the Chester County Library System to set up human trafficking hotline information in library bathrooms.

The idea was hatched following a program at the Henrietta Hankin Library, Chester Springs, in which human trafficking-survivor Ann Marie Jones and Chester County Sheriff Fredda Maddox spoke about human trafficking.

Jones described her experience being homelessness as her trafficker held her through psychological and trauma bonding.

She frequented public restrooms—at fast food restaurants, parks and even a hospital lobby— to bathe in the sink.

At the end of the program Laura Presby, a reference librarian, asked Jones a question.

“If you were in a library during the period of time you were trafficked and you saw a sign with the human trafficking hotline in the bathroom, would you have called it?”

“If I had a cell phone, then I think I would have,” Jones replied.

The conversation led to the joint efforts by the Chester County sheriff’s office and local libraries to post the National Human Trafficking Hotline in library bathroom stalls.

“The best protection is prevention,” Maddox said. “But as a community, the more informed we are about indicators for human trafficking and where to report tips, the better we can help individuals who need a way out.”

Joe Sherwood, executive director of the Chester County library system, said the library is more than books and computers – it’s a place for vital information on many subjects presented in many formats.

The hotline is run by Polaris and connects with law enforcement agencies in all areas of the United States. Calls are anonymous and/or confidential.

The hotline is available to report tips and ask questions: 1-888-3737-888 or text 233733 (BeFree).