Reporting Deputy: Sergeant J. Hammond
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National Human Trafficking Awareness Month January 11, 2023
Human Trafficking is one of the fasted-growing criminal industries in the United States. Human Trafficking is defined by UNITAS as “the exploitation of another person for labor, domestic servitude, or commercial sexual activity by force, fraud, or coercion”. This can present itself in a variety of forms, from persons being held and forced to work manual labor for little or no pay, to forcing minors into prostitution or sexual servitude. Human Trafficking disproportionally impacts racial minorities, women, and girls, but anyone can be a victim. It is estimated there are more that 27.6 million people subjected to Human Trafficking throughout the world.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is committed to ending Human Trafficking. The Sheriff’s Department employs a full time Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) and works with local and national organizations to locate and provided aid to victims and hold perpetrators accountable. Organizations include: Reach Services; Partners Against Violence; Safe Family Justice Center; Operation SafeHouse; Rebirth Homes; The Cahuilla Consortium; Million Kids; The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center; and many more.
How can you help?
- Recognize Human Trafficking exists and know the signs.
- Have conversations with your children, family, and friends. Most incidents with minors do not end until the minor tells an adult, or the perpetrator is arrested.
- If you are a victim or suspect someone of being a victim of Human Trafficking, it is important to report the situation. Contact your local law enforcement agency by calling 911 or contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1–888–373–7888.
- Organize educational events at your work or school. Contact the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, their affiliate organizations, or other local and national organizations to arrange an educational presentation.
Additional Information and Resources:
If you are in the United States and believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking, call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1–888–373–7888 or report an emergency to law enforcement by calling 911.
For additional information, contact Sergeant Hammond
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