By Gary Van Nevel
The right to life, liberty, security; the right to freedom of movement; and the right not to be subjected to torture and/or cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment.
San Diego County has been hard hit by the ever present, ever growing crimes of human trafficking. These crimes involve compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. It is also known as trafficking in persons. More accurately, it is modern day slavery.
The Mexican border, places us on the front line for countless individuals smuggled into our county and often transported throughout the county, but from San Ysidro to Temecula, from Oceanside to Imperial Valley, and across our nation, 72% of girls, boys, men and women who become victims are United States citizens.
What are we doing?
• San Diego law enforcement has a Human Trafficking Task Force, trained, dedicated and educated to recognize and expertly arrest perpetrators and respond to the needs of victims.
• San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has been at the forefront of increased successful prosecution for the perpetrators, with a staff who are specifically assigned to all aspects of this issue.
• In conjunction with the County Board of Supervisors, The San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Advisory Council (The Advisory Council) has become an effective umbrella to expand outreach for increased services and community involvement.
• Several safe houses exist across the county. (More are needed.) Organizations such as North County Lifeline established the dedicated program, Project Life, which offers 4/7 wrap around services.
• Non-profit organizations within San Diego County to address these crimes. Soroptimists Together Against Trafficking (STAT) has representation from several South County clubs who work to educate, raise awareness, and fund outreach to assist victims. Soroptimist International (SI) Vista, North County Inland, SI Oceanside/Carlsbad work together to support these efforts in North County. Kaye Van Nevel moderates a bi-monthly anti Human Trafficking Collaborative which brings together community members and representatives from the faith-based community, YMCA, North County Lifeline, Child Protective Services, law enforcement and more.
There are many outstanding volunteers who offer their time and voices. Yusef Miller, from Escondido, is one of them. He is a member of Mosques Against Trafficking (MAT) which is a networking group of Mosques and Musulahs in Southern California to stop sex and labor human Trafficking. He recently spoke at the invitation of i5 Freedom Network. The subject: Men’s Roles in Ending Sexual Exploitation.
Soroptimsts Together Against Trafficking
