Mike Cherry, the representative for Virginia’s House of Delegates District 74, said that organizations like Recover Hope play a crucial role in supporting human trafficking victims and raising awareness about the crime. The statement was made on X.
“I am so grateful for the work Linda Hawkins and Recover Hope do,” said Cherry, House Representative. “Help victims of human trafficking. Raise awareness about this horrendous crime.”
In January 2025, Virginia launched “Operation Silence Shattered,” a statewide initiative aimed at combating human trafficking on college campuses. This effort is a collaboration between the Virginia State Police, the Human Trafficking Institute, and the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. According to Real Radio 804, the program focuses on awareness campaigns, demand reduction strategies, and increased victim protection, with particular attention to at-risk student populations. It marks a significant expansion of Virginia’s coordinated response to trafficking.
In 2023, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 527 contacts from Virginia, with 131 coming directly from victims or survivors. According to the hotline’s official statistics, most cases involved sex trafficking and were reported via phone or SMS. These figures highlight a consistent pattern of trafficking reports in the state, underscoring the importance of ongoing prevention and victim assistance initiatives.
A 2024 evaluation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that federally funded human trafficking programs have improved victim identification and support through enhanced training and coordination among service providers. As reported by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, these programs have increased survivor engagement and emphasized trauma-informed, survivor-led approaches as critical to long-term recovery and prevention of re-trafficking.
Delegate Cherry has actively championed anti-human trafficking legislation. According to the Virginia Legislative Information System, he introduced HB 633 in 2024 to create a standalone labor trafficking statute in Virginia. This measure aims to fill a legal gap and provide prosecutors with new tools to combat exploitation. His legislative agenda reflects a commitment to both public safety and survivor advocacy.
