January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) works to combat human trafficking and to support its survivors.
Human trafficking is best described as the exploitation of another for profit. This pernicious act can decimate the lives of the trafficked, often fracturing families, relationships, and livelihoods, and is an act exploiting the victim’s body and labor as a kind of renewable resource.
Human Trafficking in California
California has one of the biggest anti-trafficking and response footprints in the country, with at least thirty-five Human Trafficking Task Forces or Collaborative Efforts working to address the issue. Since 2006, the number of arrests and cases have steadily increased. According to the State Threat Assessment Center, Human Trafficking has been discovered and prosecuted in approximately half of the 58 counties in California, indicating a present and statewide threat. With its extensive international border, major international ports of entry, powerful industrial base and common natural disasters, California will continue to be seen as opportune ground for traffickers to employ their trade.
Traffickers seek to exploit vulnerabilities in our residents. They seek to leverage social and individual risk factors to further their criminal goals.
Social risk factors can contribute to the continuing problem, such as:
- Racism
- Sexism & misogyny
- Homophobia/transphobia
- Sexualizing of girls and young women
- Sexualizing of boys
- Acceptance of violence against women
- Inaccessibility of legal economies
Individual risk factors include:
- Poverty
- Sexual Abuse/Physical Abuse/Neglect
- Runaway/Throwaway/Homeless
- Identification as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual. Transgender, and/or Questioning
- Mental Health
- Unaddressed Trauma
- Developmental/Learning Disabilities
According to the California Department of Justice report 72% of trafficking victims in California are United States citizens or have legal status.
What could be potential signs or indicators of Human Trafficking?
There are many, often subtle, potential signs or indicators of trafficking, including:
- Exhaustion, depression, or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Poor physical health or malnourishment
- Physical trauma such as scars or bruises
- Untreated medical issues, such as sexually transmitted infections, occupational injuries or exposure
- Lacks control over money, ID, travel documents, or personal schedule
- Exhibits self-destructive behavior
- Coached or rehearsed responses to questions
Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking
Being held against their will is a situation victims of human trafficking often experience. Victims may lack the resources to escape, like transportation or a place to relocate. Victims also stay because they are afraid for their lives, or the lives of their relatives/loved ones. Some victims have been subjected to such intense and effective manipulation that they do not identify their situation as one of human trafficking.
Federal and state funding is allocated to Cal OES to support services primarily through grants, education and outreach for survivors of human trafficking, training to first responders and service providers, and communications to increase awareness and support.
The Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (HV) Program provides funding to organizations that help human trafficking victims/survivors recover from the trauma they experienced and assist them through comprehensive safety and supportive services using a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive victim/survivor-centered approach. Goals are identified, needs long-term are assessed and support a path toward healing and independence.
The HV Program provides assistance with immigration-related needs, obtaining restraining or protective orders, record expungement, credit repair, and tattoo removal, all of which can be critical steps in restoring autonomy, safety, and self-determination. Support in building new futures through financial education, career training, and continued access to counseling and mental health services are also options.
In addition, the Human Trafficking Advocate (HA) Program provides funding to Victim Witness Assistance Centers throughout the state so they can hire or dedicate at least one half-time advocate who will provide support to individuals and their families as they engage with the criminal justice system.
Human Trafficking vs. Human Smuggling
Human Trafficking is considered a nonconsensual action, with no movement required. The victims are not free to leave, and their victimization is done through the use of force, fraud or coercion. Trafficking typically involves forced/exploited labor or commercial sexual exploitation.
Human Smuggling is identified as a willful action and includes the unauthorized crossing of a national border. Key differences include that the person is free to leave after border passage. The person consents to be smuggled and there is no labor or sexual exploitation, though those things may occur during the process. The focus of the transaction is movement.
Cal OES Mission
Cal OES applies a multi pronged approach in its fight of trafficking. Cal OES facilitates programs that supports the identification of trafficking victims, helping to hold traffickers accountable for their crimes, and providing financial assistance to victim service organizations charged with helping victims recover.
With the collective focus and expertise contained in the California State Threat Assessment System, Human Trafficking Grant Programs Division, and the California Specialized Training Institute, Cal OES has reach and effect to support anti-trafficking efforts in every county in California, in addition to cross-state and international partners.
Human Trafficking Prevention Training
Cal OES, through the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI), delivers specialized training on how to identify and report human trafficking. This includes instruction for law enforcement agencies, emergency management personnel and victim service professionals.
CSTI develops practical, informed training programs that strengthen community efforts to combat human trafficking as a contemporary form of exploitation.
Currently there are three courses being offered by CSTI: The State of Human Trafficking in California (HTCA); Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery (HT); and Convergence of Human Trafficking, Terrorism, and the Signs of Radicalization (HTR).
For more on when and where these courses are taking place, visit CSTI Homeland Security Program.
How to Report Human Trafficking?
If you are a victim of human trafficking, know of somebody who may be a victim of human trafficking, or have information about a potential trafficking situation, please call: The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or The U.S. Department of Justice Hotline (888) 428-7581
Your information will be relayed to the appropriate law enforcement agency and an anti-trafficking victim service provider in your area.