LAKE COUNTY— In their 2022-23 Civil Grand Jury Report, the organization found human/sex trafficking cases are complex, require lengthy investigations and are costly to resolve and concluded that widespread education, especially among youth and people working with youth, can increase awareness for potential intervention.
The Grand Jury recommended that the six school district superintendents in Lake County partner with Lake Family Resource Center to create and implement programs that focus on age-appropriate curricula and handouts for students, staff, and parents and develop protocols for identifying and reporting a suspected case of human trafficking or responding to a potential victim.
The watchdog group also recommends that the Lakeport Police Department, Clearlake Police Department and the Sheriff's Office provide annual training on trafficking for their officers and staff.
According to the report, human trafficking has become the second largest criminal industry following the drug cartel. An estimated 27 million adults and 13 million children are trafficked worldwide, with a profit of $150 billion a year. Nearly 80 percent of human trafficking is for sex and 20 percent is for labor exploitation.
"California is particularly vulnerable because of its proximity to international borders, the number of ports and airports, its significant immigrant population, and a large economy that includes industries that attract forced labor."
The Grand Jury continued, "Combatting human trafficking with intervention, prevention and zero tolerance demands a coordinated effort from all corners of the community— individuals, advocates, community groups, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, and schools."
The Grand Jury interviewed law enforcement officials, including specialists in sex crimes, both locally and with Homeland Security, former and current persons in the District Attorney's Office, school officials; relatives of victims, community members vitally concerned about trafficking, and several of the principals involved in the Jane Doe in Wolderland presentation on April, 2018. Research and numerous reports on the topic were reviewed.
LAKE COUNTY
The Grand Jury found that 80 percent of the state's human trafficking cases occur in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego, according to data provided by the California Department of Justice. Lake County, being only two hours north of San Francisco, is close to the Pacific Coast and only 60 miles from Interstate 5, one of the state's most commonly traveled routes that is known for many truck stops and motels that are used for luring, recruiting, and transporting trafficked victims. Its location, then, according to data cited in the report, has made Lake Couty a prime area for this illicit activity.
The Grand Jury also detailed two effective community groups: the Lake Family Resource Center, whose program offers free and confidential services including a 24/7 community Crisis line (1-888-485-7733) answered by trained advocates. Human trafficking has also been a signature project of Soroptimist International of the Americas, including the Lake County chapter. The Grand Jury noted that they have worked "diligently" with community leaders to raise awareness about the barbarity of this type of trafficking through training and proclamations calling attention to the problem.
For more information and resources about human trafficking, visit humantraffickinghotline.org. The LCSO remains dedicated to ensuring Lake County stays safe. To report any suspicious activity or possible human trafficking, call central dispatch at 707-263-2690.
As per California Penal Colde 933.05 (a)(b)(c), responses from all six school districts in the county, the Clearlake Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Lakeport Police Department are required within 60 days of the filing of the report (with the exception of Clearlake PD and Lakeport PD which are given 90 days.)
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