A regional anti-human trafficking conference wrapped up in Billings after bringing together law enforcement officers, prosecutors, educators and victim-service advocates from across the Rocky Mountain region for specialized training on combating trafficking and exploitation.
The 2026 Greater Rockies Immersive Training Conference, known as GRIT, concluded Wednesday after a multi-day program focused on the unique challenges rural communities face in identifying and prosecuting sex and labor trafficking cases.
Representatives from the Montana Department of Justice, Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Uprising Wyoming and FYN Global participated in the conference.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said human trafficking remains a threat in communities across the state and said the conference provided investigators, prosecutors and advocates with practical tools to combat it.
The event featured survivor-led presentations, breakout training sessions and networking opportunities among professionals who work with trafficking victims. Organizers concluded the conference with a mock operation in which attendees applied lessons learned during the training in a realistic scenario guided by national experts.
Sessions during the conference covered investigative techniques, case coordination among agencies and long-term strategies for building sustainable anti-trafficking responses in rural areas.
Knudsen has made human trafficking enforcement a priority during his tenure. His office supported legislation in 2023 that increased penalties for traffickers and buyers involved in sex trafficking. The department has also launched educational programs for students and hosted multiple statewide symposiums focused on prevention and enforcement.
Organizers said the GRIT conference emphasized cross-disciplinary cooperation and practical solutions tailored to smaller communities, where trafficking cases can be harder to detect and resources are often more limited.
By DNU Staff