What is human trafficking?
- A form of modern day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others
- As defined under US law, victims of human trafficking include:
- Children involved in the sex trade
- Adults age 18 or over who are coerced or deceived into commercial sex acts
- Anyone forced into different forms of labor or services (i.e. domestic workers held in a home or farm workers forced to labor against their will)
California has been identified by the FBI as one of the nation’s top four destination states for trafficked persons and San Luis Obispo County is a natural corridor for human trafficking activities between Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as the Central Valley and the Central Coast. Though human trafficking is illegal under federal and California law, victims often do not know where to turn for help and community members may not know where to report suspicious situations.
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)/Polaris Project operates 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call Specialists can connect victims with law enforcement and service providers in their local area who can help them get out of exploitive situations and into safe environments.
If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave – whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work, construction, factory, retail or restaurant work, or any other activity call the NHTRC at:
1-888-373-7888 or Text Be Free (233-733)
Or locally you may contact:
Crime Stoppers at 549-STOP
Text “SLOTIPS plus your message” to CRIMES (274637)
Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center
(805) 781-5821 or toll-free (866) 781-5821
Brochures:
Human Trafficking Task Force- English
Human Trafficking Task Force- Spanish
Trafficking 101 English
Trafficking 101 Spanish
Your Rights & Law Enforcement Response (English)
Your Rights & Law Enforcement Response (Spanish)