California Attorney General and Comic-Con International Partner to Raise Awareness About Human Trafficking

Strategic Insights -

As the largest comic book and pop culture convention in the world descends upon San Diego this weekend, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Comic-Con International are teaming up to raise awareness about the devastating issue of human trafficking. Human trafficking, a crime that affects millions worldwide, is estimated to be a $150 billion per year global industry, with victims often hidden in plain sight. By working together, they aim to educate the public on the signs of human trafficking and empower them to take action in combating this heinous crime.

Key Takeaways:

  • The California Department of Justice's San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force will be conducting operations during Comic-Con to reduce demand for commercial sexual exploitation.
  • Attendees can help by reporting any suspicious activity they may see, and can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services.
  • Human trafficking is not only a crime, but a violation of a person's human rights and dignity, and can take many forms, including sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude resulting from force, fraud, or coercion.
  • The California Department of Justice has two regional Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Teams serving Northern California and Southern California, in addition to serving as the lead agency on the SDHTTF.
  • Perpetrators of human trafficking profit from the control and exploitation of men, women, and children for sex or labor through force, fraud, or coercion, and victims are protected under federal and California law.
  • The SDHTTF takes a survivor-oriented approach and works with victim advocate groups that offer a wide range of services for survivors of human trafficking.

Statistics:

  • Human trafficking is estimated to be a $150 billion per year global industry.
  • Human trafficking is among the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world.
  • Human trafficking victims are protected under federal and California law.
  • The California Department of Justice's San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF) will be conducting operations to reduce demand for commercial sexual exploitation during Comic-Con.
  • The SDHTTF takes a survivor-oriented approach and works with victim advocate groups that offer a wide range of services for survivors of human trafficking.

Sources:

  • California Attorney General's Office - In Advance of Comic-Con Weekend, Attorney General Bonta, Comic-Con International Raise Awareness, Provide Tips to Combat Human Trafficking
  • California Department of Justice's San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force - Human Trafficking
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline - 1-888-373-7888