Richmond, VA – The Virginia State Police is highlighting a texting tipline and web form for the public to send anonymous tips to the department’s Human Trafficking Investigative Unit. Any witnesses or victims of human trafficking are encouraged to text 8-4-7-4-1-1 and then type “VSP” followed by the tip. Tips can also be submitted through the tip411 web portal featured on the V-S-P website.

Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel Gary T. Settle, said in a release that “the public plays a crucial role with helping state police identify both those perpetuating this crime and those being trafficked.”

The tipline allows the V-S-P to respond in real time to the tips. State police may follow up with a tipster, who remains completely anonymous, via the app’s text messaging capabilities to obtain more details about the information given.