SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Puerto Rico, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, have been working arduously in the prevention and education efforts to raise public awareness to combat human trafficking, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
Breaking the Cycle is a comprehensive educational outreach program designed to dismantle the roots of violence within Puerto Rican society. Operated under the U.S. Department of Justice, the program serves as a proactive intervention, shifting the focus from reactive enforcement to preventative education. By educating citizens with the cognitive tools to recognize and reject harmful behaviors, Breaking the Cycle aims to foster a sustainable island-wide culture rooted in safety, dignity, and mutual respect.
The program is inclusive and multi-generational, recognizing that safety is a collective responsibility. Our outreach specifically targets:
The Educational Ecosystem: K-12 students, university cohorts, and faculty.
The Family Unit: Parents and caregivers seeking to create safe domestic environments.
Vulnerable Populations: Specialized sessions for the elderly and at-risk youth.
Community Leadership: Local organizations and civic groups.
“Human traffickers, particularly those who prey on children, exploit the most vulnerable segments of our society,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “We value the relationships we have with local law enforcement partners to help identify and investigate cases of human trafficking. Together, we strive to educate our communities to detect signs of this illegal activity and report it.”
“Education, supported by strong values and access to adequate resources, constitutes the most effective tool to prevent and eradicate risky behaviors. Educating citizens who are aware of their rights, committed to their duties, and engaged in the well-being of their communities is a collective responsibility. Recognizing that human trafficking is a harm that concerns us all, we join the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this important prevention initiative, confident that by educating the public to recognize and reject harmful behaviors, we contribute to the building of a society grounded in safety, dignity, and mutual respect,” said PR Secretary of Justice, Lourdes L. Gómez Torres.
Breaking the Cycle is available upon request to any institution or community group in Puerto Rico. We facilitate these essential conversations at no cost to the requesting party. To coordinate a presentation or for more information, please contact:
Public Affairs and Community Engagement Division (PACE)
U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Puerto Rico
Email: USAPR.Outreach@usdoj.gov
