Big Sky Times

Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today the launch of a human trafficking course developed by the Montana Department of Justice to raise awareness and educate Montana students about human trafficking and online exploitation.

The course, titled “Enlightened,” was created in collaboration with anti-human trafficking organizations and features testimonials from survivors and Division of Criminal Investigation agents. It includes a video and an in-class discussion sheet designed to assist teachers and parents in initiating conversations about human trafficking and internet crimes against children.

The Montana Department of Justice is partnering with the Office of Public Instruction to distribute the curriculum across classrooms statewide.

“Young Montanans need to be aware of the problem and know the signs of human trafficking so they can recognize it and ask for help if they need it or know someone who does. I’m thankful to the organizations, like Unchained, that helped us put this course together and joined us in the fight against human trafficking,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “I urge every parent, teacher, and school administrator to utilize this content. Together, we can keep children safe and stop human trafficking in Montana.”

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen commented on the initiative: “Our children are Montana’s most precious resources. This is a great opportunity for parents and teachers to promote safety and security through education. I am proud of the partnership between my office, the Department of Justice, and Unchained to protect all our Montana students.”

Scott Roberts, CEO and founder of Unchained, added: “Unchained is honored to partner with the Department of Justice and the Department of Education in our collective effort to protect the children of Montana from predators that seek to exploit them through internet crimes and human trafficking. This threat is grave and growing. Through education, our families, schools, and children will be much better prepared to recognize these horrible crimes.”

The curriculum is available on the DOJ’s website at https://dojmt.gov/humantrafficking/.

Since Attorney General Knudsen began addressing this issue in 2021, reported human trafficking cases have more than doubled. In 2023 alone, DOJ agents tracked 147 cases in Montana—a 39 percent increase from 106 cases in 2022.

During the 2023 legislative session, Attorney General Knudsen's office contributed to drafting House Bill 112 based on discussions at previous symposiums. The new law increases penalties for sex traffickers while providing prosecutors with additional tools for prosecution. It also expands definitions related to human trafficking.

This legislation has already facilitated law enforcement efforts against sex trafficking. For instance, officials conducted a sting operation last year in Bozeman resulting in multiple arrests related to prostitution charges among others.

Attorney General Knudsen also secured funding for two additional human trafficking agents during the last legislative session, doubling their number from two to four.