We can all do our part to keep community members safe from human trafficking. Courtesy photo

 

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - As part of an effort to make our community a safe place for all residents, Sacramento County is raising awareness about human trafficking. January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and each year, the U.S. Department of State recognizes it as a way to raise awareness about this crime that impacts communities across the country.

Several of Sacramento County's community partners are dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking.

My Sister's House aids Asian and Pacific Islanders and other underserved women and children impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

The Family Justice Center helps victims during legal proceedings.

Other helpful resources include RTI International providing insight into information about sex trafficking by collecting and sharing data about the issue, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline allowing residents to report tips about suspicious activity that they have observed. (The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888 and the text is 233733).

We can all do our part to keep community members safe from human trafficking.

​Learn the signs of human trafficking, which can include:

Multiple employees living with their employer.

A person who is not given the chance to speak to others alone and someone appears to control who they talk to and what they say.

Visible signs of physical abuse.

A person who does not have control of personal identification such as their driver's license or passport.

A child who is living with someone who is not their parent, a relative or their legal/assigned guardian.

A child under the legal working age tells you they are forced to work.

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. If there is an immediate emergency, always call 911.

Become a mentor to a teen, young adult or someone in need. Traffickers might target children or adults who are going through a difficult time, do not have stable housing or do not have a support system. 

Get involved with a local organization that fights human trafficking, such as one of the groups listed above.

Take time to learn more about the warning signs and how to report human trafficking at the U.S Department of State ​website at.state.gov/national-human-trafficking-prevention-month/.

Sacramento County is dedicated to addressing human trafficking through awareness, education and action. We can all work together to prevent human trafficking and provide hope to those recovering from this crime.