THE HIDDEN CRIME OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN MONTEREY AND SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES

In support of human trafficking awareness month, a newly forming anti-human trafficking coalition is holding its first annual Community Conversation about local human trafficking. The event takes place January 20th 6pm to 8pm at the First Christian Church located on the corner of East Lake and Madison in Watsonville.

Human trafficking is defined as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to control other people for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex or forcing them to provide labor services against their will. According to the Polaris Project (an organization that operates the nation’s largest human trafficking resource hotline), the three most common forms of sex trafficking reported to the hotline involved pimp-controlled prostitution, commercial-front brothels, and escort services. Labor trafficking was most frequently reported in domestic work, restaurants, peddling rings, and sales crews. “Victims are often afraid to come forward because they fear their traffickers or perhaps their immigration status.”

The event will begin with an introduction to local human trafficking and modern slavery, led by the Capitola Chief of Police, Rudy Escalante, and Deborah Pembrook, a Survivor Leader & Advocate. After opening remarks, event attendees will be encouraged to address questions to a panel of local experts.

Panelists Include:

Doug Keegan, Program Director, Santa Cruz County Immigration Project

Sister Glora Loya, Monterey Diocese

Jennifer Mendoza, Social Worker Monterey County Department of Social Services

Deborah Pembrook, Survivor Leader & Advocate

Julie Schneider, Victim Advocate, Santa Cruz Police Department

Lt. Jorge Zamora, Watsonville Police Department

The event is organized by a new coalition consisting of a variety of organizations and businesses working to end human trafficking and slavery in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. Coalition members include social services, legal outreach, law enforcement, and non-governmental organizations. Co-lead by Christina Soto, Programs Director at Monarch Services (Formerly Women’s Crisis Support~Defensa de Mujeres), and Deborah Pembrook, Survivor Leader and Advocate, the coalition aims to end local slavery through education, advocacy, policy change, survivor services, and prosecution of offenders.

The Coalition’s overall intended outcome of the January 20th event is twofold: 1) to create awareness of the services and resources available to victims, so that more victims will seek help, and 2) to arm the general public with the information needed to identify and report suspicious activity.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, or you believe you might have information about a trafficking situation, Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888: Or send a text to BeFree. (233733). This is a confidential, toll-free line for victims and survivors, and for people to anonymously report tips of suspected human trafficking. A bilingual staff is available in English and Spanish, and in more than 180 languages through the use of interpreters.

A Community Conversation about Local Human Trafficking is made possible with the generous sponsorship support of Monarch Services and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Related on Patch:

Human Trafficking Task Force Rescued 8-10 Victims Since Summer In Santa Clara County

Billboard Campaign Against Human Trafficking Launched in East Bay.