District attorney starts Human Trafficking Task Force
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and in recognition, San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow announced the formation and implementation of the San Luis Obispo County Human Trafficking Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of various county departments, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and community based organizations.
California has been identified by the FBI as one of the primary transit and destination states for human trafficking victims. San Luis Obispo County is a natural corridor for human trafficking activities between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The crime of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation has continued to grow and evolve significantly over the past several years. The 2012 report by California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris, The State of Human Trafficking in California, details the extent
this modern day slavery has infected our communities.
The mission of the Task Force is to:
- Prevent and combat human trafficking through education;
- Protect and assist victims with full respect for their human rights through identification; and
- Promote cooperation among law enforcement and community organizations by allocating resources to meet these objectives.
Local law enforcement, District Attorney prosecutors, and victim advocates have received specialized training to identify the signs of human trafficking.
During the month of January a countywide community awareness campaign will begin. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s and Sheriffs Offices will be contacting businesses and providing posters that include hotline numbers to seek help or report unlawful activity.
To get help or report a suspected instance of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text Be Free (233733). You may also contact your local law enforcement or call Crime Stoppers at 544-STOP or text SLOTIPS plus your message to Crimes (274637).
Comments
