Stop Human Trafficking
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims are controlled and forced to perform labor, sexually exploited, or both. Sex trafficking, or the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), is happening to boys and girls right here in El Dorado County.
Children under age 18 induced into commercial sex are victims of human trafficking whether or not traffickers use force, fraud or coercion. Under California law, children who are sexually trafficked, or who receive food or shelter for, or paid to perform, sex acts are victims of child abuse.
Signs Victims May Display
Victims of Human Trafficking May:
- Show signs of being controlled physically or emotionally, or other abuse
- Say they can't leave home or their work
- Be unable to speak for themselves
- Have few or no personal possessions or friends
- Seem disoriented or distant emotionally
- Owe large sums of money they can't repay
- Falsely believe their trafficker will love and protect them
CSEC Victims May Also:
- Show signs of physical abuse (burn marks, bruises or cuts)
- Have unexplained absences from class or school
- Be less appropriately dressed or display expensive clothes, shoes or accessories
- Demonstrate overly sexual behavior
- Be withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out
- Have a new tattoo - (Traffickers may "brand" victims with a tattoo of a name, money symbol or barcode)
Help is Available!
Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline:
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center has a free, confidential hotline open 24/7 to help victims of human trafficking.
1-888-373-7888
El Dorado County Wants to Stop Human Trafficking
Local citizens, community groups, agencies and non-profits in El Dorado County are joining together to stop human trafficking. El Dorado County agency partners include:
For questions about Child Welfare programs of the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency call (530) 642-7100 on the Western Slope or (530) 573-3201 in South Lake Tahoe.
SB 1193 - Businesses Must Post Public Notices with National Hotline Number
California Senate Bill 1193 mandates that certain businesses and establishments post public notices about human trafficking, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline phone number. The law is very specific about which business must post, the information to be contained in the notice, where to post the notice and more.
Additional Resources