County DA Launches Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign
Human trafficking is an estimated $150 billion-a-year global industry, with as many as 17,500 victims trafficked into the United States annually. Yet, Alameda County is the third highest "hot spot" for this crime in the U.S.
In response, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price and billboard advertising firm Clear Channel have teamed up to raise awareness and offer hope to victims during January's National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. It's the 10th year the two organizations have collaborated to bring local awareness to this crime.
"Human trafficking is a serious crime that affects teens, children, and residents of Alameda County every single day," said District Attorney Price. "When you think of human trafficking, you may think of crimes that occur in far-off places. But that is not the reality. These crimes are happening right here in our own backyard. My office hopes that public awareness on these crimes will increase the likelihood that they will be reported and perpetrators will be brought to justice."
The campaign features Clear Channel billboards and bus shelters throughout Alameda County, bringing awareness to the insidious crimes of human trafficking. The campaign focuses on crimes of sex and labor trafficking. These types of crimes are a serious threat to public safety.
By educating the community on the various forms of human trafficking in our neighborhoods, the groups hope to prevent the next person from falling victim to this crime.
"Our hope is that victims will also see these life-saving messages on our billboards as a sign that they are not alone and that there is support available," said Bob Schmitt, Regional President of Northern California at Clear Channel Outdoor.
Human trafficking is an umbrella term encompassing all forms of exploitation. It's broken down into either forced labor or sex trafficking. Both adults and children are victims, with the median age of entry for girls falling between 12-14 while boys and transgendered youth average 11-13, according to Alameda County District Attorney's H.E.A.T. Watch anti-trafficking program.
Beyond the billboards and signs, the DA says there are many indicators that a person is a victim of human trafficking. These include:
· May not be free to leave or come and go as they wish
· Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
· Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
· Someone else is dictating what they wear, eat, when they sleep, etc.
· Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where they are staying or going
· Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city they are in
· Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking
· Is not in control of their own money, no financial records, or bank account
· Is not in control of their own identification documents (ID or passport) or lacks identification completely
· Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves
The District Attorney's Office has a steady record of aggressively prosecuting sex trafficking-related cases. From January 2006 to December 2022, the DA brought forward 943 charges with 716 convictions related to trafficking. The DA reports that more than 1,140 police reports were filed during the same period.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, the DA asks you to call the H.E.A.T. Watch tip line at (510) 208-4959 or you can text BEFREE (233-733) to the National Human Trafficking hotline at (888) 373-7888.