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By Becky Campbell
Johnson City Press
A Milligan College student who conducted his own poll of state legislators on the issue of human trafficking because of a campus organization he’s in is now appointed to a new task force on the issue.
John Crowe, the 19-year-old son of state Rep. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, and Dr. Sarrah Barron-Crowe, had a unique opportunity to ask other state leaders about trafficking after members of the International Justice Mission at Milligan wanted to know what Tennessee was doing about the problem.
As it turns out, the state had just passed a new requirement that the Department of Human Services collaborate with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Intellectual and Development Disabilities, Department of Health, Department of Children’s Services and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to develop a comprehensive plan for the delivery of services to human trafficking victims throughout the state.
As a result of that, the state created the task force and Gov. Bill Haslam started making appointments. Because of Crowe’s interest in the issue, he became an obvious choice.
“Just about every college has some human trafficking task force chapter. The state wants to use that resource and involve college students,” Crowe said. “I’ll be the coordinator for college students. This is an issue college students are really passionate about.”
A news release from the state said the Task Force consists of 80-plus partners from various sectors — survivors, provider agencies, non-governmental organizations, law enforcement, faith-based communities, various ethnic communities and national organizations.
“This plan is an excellent example of a public-private partnership,” Department of Human Services Commissioner Raquel Hatter said in an interim report submitted by the department regarding the task force’s work.
“We would like to thank everyone involved for their time, expertise, and commitment to helping Tennessee becomes a national leader in effectively responding to the needs of human trafficking victims,” she said.
Crowe, a sophomore biology major at Milligan, said he’s excited and ready to get to work.
“I was very proud to have been appointed to this task force,” Crowe said. “ Many of our colleges and universities have student organizations like the IJM that have been helpful to raise awareness in combating this terrible crime.”
Crowe said he’s learned that there are cases of human trafficking in Washington County as well as other parts of the state.
“I look forward to working toward a comprehensive plan to help victims access the services in Tennessee that they need to recover,” he said.