A New Jersey hospital is strengthening its fight against human trafficking.

St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson is now partnering with the Department of Homeland Security for the “Blue Campaign.” It is the first hospital in the Garden State to officially join the effort.

Officials say that the mission is to train health care staff members and implement protocols to detect and prevent human trafficking while also protecting victims.

“This did not come about because of a leadership directive or a government mandate. It came about because some of the outstanding and dedicated workers at Saint Joseph saw this as a need to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” says St. Joseph’s president and CEO Kevin Slavin.

It is believed that human trafficking impacts more than 27 million people worldwide. Officials say it is one of the most profitable forms of crime.

St. Joseph’s has the fourth-busiest emergency room in the country. Officials say the staff will now be given the necessary tools to help fight human trafficking.