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Nebraska AG Peterson unveils plan to fight human trafficking

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson has announced a new effort to clamp down on human trafficking, stop traffickers and help their victims.

Peterson announced Tuesday that his office and the Salvation Army have received a $1.5 million federal grant for a new state task force to address the problem.

The group will work to spread awareness of human trafficking in Nebraska. It also will help train people how to recognize and respond to cases of human trafficking. The effort will include state, federal and local law enforcement, the court system, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Native American tribes and private groups.

Stephen O'Meara, the attorney general's human trafficking coordinator, says the task force is part of an effort to be more proactive in stopping exploitation.

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