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熱線號碼1-888-373-7888一年365日24/7開通
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.