DALLAS—FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough is pleased to announce the selection of Traffick911 as the Dallas Division’s recipient of the 2023 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). SAC Yarbrough recognized Program Director Cristy Lopez on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Traffick911 headquarters in Addison, Texas.

Traffick911 supports victims of child sex trafficking by providing 24/7 crisis response, community-based advocacy, and specialized case management. Each Traffick911 Advocate provides basic needs, creates safety plans, and coordinates with law enforcement to serve children as long as needed according to their specific needs.

Traffick911 provides substantial assistance to FBI Dallas Victim Specialists by explaining available resources to victims, often in their primary language, and creating a safe, protective atmosphere when they are ready to provide investigative information to law enforcement officers about their victimization. In 2023, Traffick911 Advocates physically responded to 89 crisis events, and more than 300 youth received services over the course of the year.

SAC Yarbrough explained, “Ms. Lopez and the entire Traffick911 team embody victim services by employing unique community-based approaches to trust-building in a way that law enforcement and the FBI would not be able to achieve alone. Their 24/7 crisis response posture meets victims when they need resources the most, and their advocacy continues until all needs are met. Their steadfast commitment to physically, mentally, and emotionally freeing child victims makes them the Dallas recipient of the 2023 Director’s Community Leadership Award.”

The FBI established the DCLA in 1990 to publicly acknowledge the achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of education and the prevention of crime and violence. Recipients are recognized for their service above and beyond the call of duty to help keep America and its residents safe, and are selected based on nominations from each of the FBI’s 56 field offices.

FBI Director Christopher Wray will recognize recipients from all FBI field offices at the 16th Annual DCLA ceremony at FBI headquarters on Friday, April 19, 2024.

For additional information about the DCLA and this prestigious award, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/about/community-outreach/dcla.