Working Together to End Human
Trafficking in Greater Hartford
A coordinated, survivor-centered, trauma-informed response.
Our Mission
The Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Task Force (RHTRT) works to end human trafficking in Greater Hartford through a coordinated, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed response. We believe healing, justice, and prevention are only possible when agencies and advocates unite — and survivors remain at the center of everything we do.
Regions We Serve
We serve 11 communities
across the Greater Hartford area:
• Bloomfield
• East Hartford
• Glastonbury
• Hartford
• Manchester
• South Windsor
• West Hartford
• Windsor
• Avon
• Farmington
• Canton
Our Approach
Human trafficking is often hidden in plain sight — in schools, homes, hospitals, and online spaces.
We prioritize:
• Rapid and safe identification of victims
• Survivor-led care and safety planning
• Legal coordination and case support
• Prevention through provider training and community awareness
• Data collection to guide systemic change
Trauma-Informed
We provide care rooted in understanding and healing. Our approach recognizes the impact of past experiences and supports individuals in finding peace and strength as they move forward.
Collaborative
We believe in walking alongside individuals and communities, working together to build growth, trust, and meaningful connections that honor every person’s unique journey.
Evidence-Based
We rely on proven methods and informed practices to guide our work, ensuring every step we take is purposeful, effective, and grounded in real results.
Project Affiliations
Programs of the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce (RHTRT)
Response Team
Journey Mapping Project
Comfort Pup Program (Justice)
Training Programs
Leadership & Team
Co-CHAIRS
Krystal Rich
Executive Director, Connecticut Children’s Alliance
Krystal Rich, MSW is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Children’s Alliance (CCA), the statewide membership organization of Connecticut’s ten accredited Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) and seventeen Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs). CCA also serves as the umbrella agency for Prevent Child Abuse Connecticut (PCACT), a program developed in collaboration with the Office of Early Childhood to support the growth and sustainability of primary prevention programming and education. In this role, Krystal leads statewide efforts to coordinate trauma-informed responses to child abuse, support prevention infrastructure, and advocate for policies that strengthen systems for children and families.
Krystal is the co-founder of the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce (RHTRT), launched in 2021 with the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office, and continues to lead efforts to transform Connecticut’s multidisciplinary response to child and adult trafficking through a coordinated pilot model focused on identification, recovery, and long-term support. She serves as tri-chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Justice for Abused Children (GTFJAC), which oversees the functioning and evaluation of MDTs and CACs statewide, and tri-chair of the Human Anti-Trafficking Response Team (HART) under the Department of Children and Families and of the Trafficking in Persons Council (TIP). She is also a member of the State Advisory Council (SAC) to the Department of Children and Families, and numerous other committees and subcommittees dedicated to improving Connecticut’s systems of care for victims of crime.
Outside of her work at CCA, Krystal is an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, where she teaches foundational and policy practice courses. She is also an alumna of the program, having earned her master’s in social work with a concentration in Policy Practice. Throughout her roles in advocacy, systems change, and education, Krystal remains committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to enhance the response to child abuse while advancing efforts to prevent harm before it occurs.
Sharmese Walcott
Hartford State’s Attorney
Sharmese L. Walcott was appointed State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford by the Criminal Justice Commission in 2020. In this role, she serves as the chief law enforcement officer for the capital city and 13 surrounding communities, overseeing some of Connecticut’s most complex and high‑profile criminal prosecutions. Walcott is also the co‑founder and law enforcement lead of the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Taskforce. Her leadership extends to roles both inside and outside the Division of Criminal Justice, extending to and including policy and reform efforts.
Walcott is deeply committed to strengthening community safety and support systems. She promotes collaboration with law enforcement partners, community groups, and statewide organizations to improve responses to violence, specifically human trafficking and gun violence. Her contributions include work and active membership with the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, the Division of Criminal Justice’s Legislative and Management Committees, the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee, the Commission on the Standardization of Evidence Collection in Sexual Assault Investigations, where she previously served as chair, and the Trafficking in Persons Council. Through these initiatives, she works to ensure community safety thorough strengthening partnerships between governmental and non-governmental agencies, enhance victim identification and support, and promote preventive approaches to crime and violence.
Walcott’s dedication to justice has earned her several honors, highlighting her work supporting individuals with mental health needs and her strong advocacy on behalf of children. Walcott earned her Bachelor of Arts from Western Connecticut State University and her Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School.
Read full Bio at Here
Core Staff
1 Regional Coordinator
2 Full-Time Victim Advocates
1 Part-Time Data Analyst
We collaborate with frontline advocates, prosecutors,
medical providers, and law enforcement to ensure a holistic response.