Human Trafficking Awareness Month, recognized annually in
January, is an opportunity to shine a light on the hidden crime affecting
communities across the globe. Despite its clandestine nature, human trafficking
is not only occurring in large metropolitan areas or distant lands. It hides in
plain sight in communities everywhere, including Santa Barbara County.
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is a serious crime and human rights
violation involving the exploitation of individuals for forced labor or
commercial sexual purposes. Perpetrators induce, recruit, harbor, transport,
provide or obtain victims. They use force, fraud, or coercion to compel victims
into providing sex acts or labor.
Commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth is a
particularly heinous aspect of human trafficking, targeting minors for sexual
exploitation. The consequences impact victims physically, emotionally and
psychologically.
Santa Barbara County’s vulnerability
- Our community is especially susceptible to human trafficking due to its unique characteristics
- It serves as a transit corridor along trafficking routes between Los Angeles and San Francisco
- The transient tourist population creates opportunities for trafficking
- The presence of migrant labor adds to the risk
- Traffickers often prey on vulnerable populations by taking advantage of individuals facing poverty, homelessness or unstable family situations
Who is
being trafficked in our county?
- 97% are female
- 60% are 24 or younger
- 41% are Santa Barbara County residents
- The average age of a teenage trafficking victim is 12 – 14
Recognizing signs of trafficking
Human trafficking is difficult to combat, as it is a crime
that hides in plain sight and victims are often too afraid to come forward.
Here are some signs of potential human trafficking.
- Excess cash
- Hotel room keys
- Multiple cell phones
- Malnourishment
- Fake IDs
- Physical abuse
- Inconsistent information
- Lack of community knowledge
- Tattoos or branding
- Missing school
- Expensive gifts
- Avoiding eye contact
- Withdrawal from activities
Remember, any minor in the commercial sex trade is a
trafficking victim. There is no such thing as a child prostitute.
Reporting suspected human trafficking
To ensure everyone’s safety, the top priority is to avoid
direct involvement and promptly report any suspicions to the appropriate local
authorities. When you make a report, describe the location (neighborhood, city,
state), describe the immediate concern, who is involved, and if you recognize
the individual(s).
- If the individual appears to be in imminent danger, call 911. Use the keywords “potential trafficking situation.”
- If the suspected trafficking survivor is a minor, contact Child Welfare Services at 1(800)367-0166.
- If you have a general suspicion of trafficking, contact the Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1(888)373-7888, text BeFree (233733), or visit online.
How to get involved
To learn more about how you can make a difference, join the
conversation, or participate in local events, visit Safe-SBC. Here you will
find a calendar full of Human Trafficking Awareness Month events, volunteer
opportunities, and actionable way to help fight trafficking in our community.
One small action
Remember, human trafficking is a near-invisible crime. The
simplest way you can help to combat it, is by shining a light on it. Below you
will find a video from the US Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign.
Give it a watch and help spread the word by sharing on social media or with
anybody you think needs to see it.