Joseph Sullivan
ON THE RECORD · 8 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“There really is no boundary on where we see victims,”
Joseph Sullivan · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Sullivan described a high school student from a wealthier background who became a trafficking victim, noting victims come from all circumstances.
“It really is satisfying being able to contact these survivors and then identify who’s exploiting them and holding them accountable,”
Joseph Sullivan · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Sullivan described the satisfaction of contacting survivors and holding exploiters accountable.
“This is a problem in every community around the country, whether it’s a big city or small,”
Joseph Sullivan · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Sullivan emphasized that human trafficking is a nationwide problem affecting communities of all sizes.
“Having a dedicated unit helps lower their overall caseload and allows them to apply the time and effort that these cases deserve,”
Joseph Sullivan · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Sullivan explained how a dedicated trafficking unit allows detectives to devote necessary time to complex cases.
“We don’t turn away any kind of tips,”
Joseph Sullivan · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Sullivan said public tips can help detectives reach trafficking victims sooner.
“It is happening in our backyard, not just in those other places,”
Joseph Sullivan · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Sullivan warned that human trafficking is occurring locally in Aurora, not just in distant places.
“Using a group of people to help identify those needs and provide those needs is kind of the goal and the key to us being successful,”
Joseph Sullivan · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Sullivan described the goal of using partner organizations to identify and meet survivors' needs as key to the unit's success.
“There is some kind of need that a trafficker identifies to exploit, and that’s how they get in,”
Joseph Sullivan · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Sullivan explained that traffickers identify and exploit a victim's unmet needs to gain control.