San Mateo縣啟動打擊人口交易宣傳運動

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圖文/記者何思倫

211日週二,來自半島的公共和執法官員包括SaMateo縣監事Adrienne J. Tissier和Don Horsley, 地區檢察官District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe和治安官Greg Munks-彙聚Millbrae Caltrain Station,啟動以人口販賣嚴重罪行為主題的海報宣傳活動。人口販賣活動以年輕和弱勢人群為剝削對象,並且全球產業一年交易總量估計達到300億元,” San Mateo縣監事Adrienne J. Tissier說。

地區檢察官Steve Wagstaffe指出我們國家有一個常見的錯誤看法,那就是人口交易只發生在海外,發生在那些危險或發展中國家。這是錯誤的-人口交易已經並且正在包括San Mateo在內的加州所有58個縣發生。事實上,加州是人口交易四大目的地之一,灣區位居性交易世界13大地區之

第二個錯誤看法是人口交易只指性交易。然而,它實際上包括任何類型的強迫勞動-不但無薪,而且在被害人試圖逃離或反抗時會受到個人安危的威脅。

美國被普遍認為是現代奴隸制的目的國,美國國務院估計每年有14,500到17,500人被交易到美國。

San Mateo縣官員宣佈參加一個覆蓋全灣區執行SB 1193的運動。SB 1193要求某些企業和組織張貼帶有National Human Trafficking Resource Center熱線號碼的海報。這一新的海報運動旨在提供一個解決方案,力求阻止和發現加州人口販賣犯罪分子以及預防和阻止更多案件發生。

San Mateo縣監事Don Horsely指出,酒吧、性用品商店、按摩院、私營崗位招募中心、急救室、急救中心、巴士站、機場、休息站、農場勞工包工處必須張貼海報,並且保證海報清晰可見,不可被任何障礙物遮蓋或阻擋。第一次違反該項法令罰款500元,第二次違反該項法令罰款1000元。San Mateo地區檢察官辦公室將負責維護和處理這些罰金。

熱線號碼1-888-373-7888一年36524/7開通,受害人、家屬、公民和任何需要幫助的人均可撥打。海報在未來數月將遍佈灣區,並將一直保留伴隨著對抗人口交易鬥爭的開展。

 

 

San Mateo County launches Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign

Reported by Jocelyn Ho

This Tuesday, February 11th, public and law enforcement officials from across the Peninsula, including San Mateo County Supervisors Adrienne J. Tissier and Don Horsley, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe and Sheriff Greg Munks, gathered at the Millbrae Caltrain Station to launch the poster campaign focusing a spotlight on the terrible crime of human trafficking. This horrible practice exploits the young and vulnerable and “…is estimated to make $30 billion a year in the global industry,” said Adrienne Tissier, San Mateo County Supervisor.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe explained that there is a common misconception in our country that human trafficking only occurs overseas or in dangerous or developing nations. This is wrong—human trafficking has already occurred and is happening right now in all 58 counties of California, including San Mateo. In fact California is one of the top 4 destinations for human trafficking and the Bay Area is top 13 for sex trafficking in the world.

A second misconception is that human trafficking only refers to sex trafficking. However it actually includes any type of forced labor without pay or compensation, and with threats to one’s safety or livelihood if they try to escape or fight back.

The United States is widely regarded as a destination country for modern slavery and the U.S. Department of State estimates that 14,500 to 17,500 victims are trafficked into the United States each year. This figure does not include victims who are trafficked within the country each year.

San Mateo County officials announced participation in a Bay Area-wide campaign to comply with Senate Bill 1193, which requires that certain businesses and organizations post fliers with the hotline number for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. The new poster campaign aims to provide a solution to stop and find these human trafficking offenders in California, as well as prevent and discourage more cases.

San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsely explained that posters will be required to be put up at bars, sex shops, massage parlors, private job recruiting centers, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, farm labor contractors, airports, rest stops, bus stations, where they can be clearly seen and not blocked or covered by any obstacles. Violation of this rule will result in a $500 fine for the first offense, and $1000 for the second offense. San Mateo District Attorney’s Office will be responsible for maintaining and handling these penalties and fines.

The hotline 1-888-373-7888 is available 24/7, 365 days a year for victims, friends, family, concerned citizens, or anyone that needs help. The posters will go up across the Bay Area in the next couple months, and will stay there indefinitely as the fight against human trafficking continues.

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