In 2012, Los Angeles County was identified as a major hub for the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Adult traffickers were preying upon children, some as young as 10 years old, and forcing them to sell their bodies for money in our local streets night after night. As a result of a history of abuse and neglect prior to their exploitation, many of these children have been involved in the County’s child welfare system.
Despite being victims of exploitation, these children were routinely criminalized for behavior they were forcefully manipulated into by their exploiters. The County’s child-serving agencies, as well as law enforcement, were brought together to create a countywide response and train staff to identify and better serve child victims of sexual exploitation.
With the Los Angeles County Law Enforcement First Responder Protocol for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children, we have created a system in which law enforcement officers can identify victims of sexual exploitation and work collaboratively with County agencies and community-based organizations to avoid arrest, keep them safe and provide them with the services they need to escape exploitation. Identifying and engaging youth at this first point of contact will help keep victims of extreme sexual abuse from being criminalized. Together with law enforcement and our non-profit partners, Los Angeles County stands united in saying: “Our children are not for sale.”
Human Trafficking Awareness Month Events and Information
Friday, January 17, 2020 - Men Standing Against Trafficking (MSAT)
Location: Victoria Street and Long Beach Boulevard
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Gather with those who say NO MORE to children and the vulnerable being sold on our streets and the border-less highway of the internet. Voluntarily take a stand for someone you may never meet. We stand together - we stand to END IT!
Contact Patrick at 310-994-1141 or msat.lbeach@gmail.com
Saturday, January 25, 2020 - Breaking the Chains Community Festival – Compton Human Trafficking Taskforce and Forgotten Children, Inc.
Location: Lynwood City Park, 11301 Bullis Rd., Lynwood, CA, 90262
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
1-800-445-1326
Saturday, January 25, 2020 - Youth Empowerment Safety Symposium (Y.E.S.S.) Event
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Salvation Army, 3000 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, CA, 90807
Information to Educate, Empower, and Engage the community to stop human trafficking!
Food, music, fair trade shopping, resources, live performances, and more
Appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Friday, January 31, 2020 – Forgotten Children Film Screening
“California's Forgotten Children” is a feature documentary about child sex trafficking. The film recounts true stories of girls and boys who were commercially sexually exploited in California and are now survivors and courageous leaders fighting for the rights of victims worldwide. This film gives viewers the tools to combat this epidemic and empowers survivors on their path to freedom.
Location: James Bridges Theater 235 Charles E Young Drive East Los Angeles, CA 90095
Time: Doors open at 4:00pm, Film starts at 5pm.
Food and beverages provided.
Q and A with Rachel Thomas and Melody Miller