Human trafficking is compelling someone through force, fraud or coercion to work or engage in commercial sex acts against their will. Human trafficking includes when anyone under 18 is involved with commercial sex for any reason. When a youth is involved in commercial sex, no force, fraud or coercion is required for it to be human trafficking.
Youth are especially vulnerable, and many underage victims of human trafficking are students in U.S. public schools. Of 16,554 trafficking victims and survivors identified through contacts with the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2021, at least 23% were children – and the ages of an additional 19% of victims were unknown.
Since 2018, human trafficking prevention education has been required in California public schools for students in grades 7 through 12 in order to support awareness and prevention among youth.
To support human trafficking education, awareness, and intervention, the Santa Cruz COE provides a non-exhaustive resource list for families and educators.
If you are a victim of human trafficking, know of somebody who may be a victim of human trafficking, or have information about a potential trafficking situation, please contact:
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Call: (888) 373-7888
Text: 233-733 (Be Free)
Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Team
(831) 454-2560
HThelp@santacruzcounty.us
If in Immediate Danger
Call: 9-1-1
To report child abuse, call Child Protective Services toll free at 1-877-505-3299 or 831-454-2273.
Local Resources
Monarch Services: 24-hour crisis line, including emergency response to law enforcement or medical facilities, and accompaniment to forensic rape examinations. Support services include emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and their children, peer counseling, advocacy, information, referrals, drop-in support groups, and assistance with restraining order applications.
Rising Worldwide: Rising Safe & Sound prevention program for schools developed by human trafficking survivor and Rising Worldwide founder. Workshops are led by human trafficking survivors.
Aruka Project: a faith-based non-profit working to restore, renew, and rebuild the lives of survivors of sex trafficking in Santa Cruz County and beyond.
Santa Cruz Coalition To Combat Human Trafficking: The Coalition to End Human Trafficking in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties is a collaboration of organizations, businesses and individuals working to end human trafficking and modern slavery in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties through education, advocacy, policy change, services for survivors and prosecution of offenders.
Diversity Center: The Diversity Center provides high quality, LGBTQ+ affirming mental health services to youth, family members, adults, seniors, & LGBTQ+ residents Of Santa Cruz County. Mental wellbeing services include individual counseling, relational counseling, family counseling, group counseling and case management. Our approach is strength-based and trauma-informed, engaging one’s self-agency, resiliency and natural- and chosen-family supports whenever possible. The Diversity Center can offer these services at no charge.
Educators
In California, all school district staff, administrators, and coaches are considered mandated reporters, and are required to report suspected child abuse and neglect and undergo annual training. For more information, see the Child Abuse Identification & Reporting Guidelines from the California Department of Education.
Monarch Services: 24-hour crisis line, including emergency response to law enforcement or medical facilities, and accompaniment to forensic rape examinations. Support services include emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and their children, peer counseling, advocacy, information, referrals, drop-in support groups, and assistance with restraining order applications, as well as community education presentations.
US Dept of Health & Human Services Human Trafficking Prevention Toolkit for School-Based Professionals including teachers, administration, librarians, and school staff who can use prevention resources to educate themselves and their students.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Program: Administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), this program provides information to support awareness, identification, and prevention education of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
Parents and Caregivers
Let’s Talk About – Discussing Online Safety: A series of videos modeling healthy and empowered adolescent responses to online safety issues. On social media, in classrooms, and in prevention work, these videos offer opportunities to create community change.
Look Beneath The Surface: Link provides LBS materials to raise awareness about human trafficking and how to get help. Materials in English and Spanish include posters, brochures, pocket cards, stickers, bookmarks, and radio PSAs. Select materials available in Chinese, Indonesian, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese.
KidSmartz: KidSmartz is a child safety program that educates families about preventing abduction and empowers kids in grades K-5 to practice safer behaviors. This program offers resources to help parents, caregivers, and teachers protect kids by teaching and practicing the 4 Rules of Personal Safety using classroom lessons, at-home lessons, parent tips, and fun printable activities.
Human Trafficking – A Guide for Parents and Caregivers: These materials were designed for youth aged 12−18 who have experienced sex and labor trafficking, to help inform and empower them as they navigate through the justice system.
General Resources and Hotlines
National Human Trafficking Hotline: Find social and legal services for victims and survivors of human trafficking, and connect with training and volunteer opportunities across the U.S. and its territories. 1-888-373-7888 233733 – Text “HELP” or “INFO”
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: As the nation’s clearinghouse and comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention of and recovery from child victimization, NCMEC leads the fight against abduction, abuse, and exploitation – because every child deserves a safe childhood. 1-800-THE-LOST
National Runaway Safeline: By calling 1-800-RUNAWAY or 1-800-786-2929, you will immediately share your story with a compassionate person and build a plan together. 1-800-RUN-AWAY
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 At the National Domestic Violence Hotline, our highly trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the United States who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network: 1-800-656-HOPE When you call, you’ll be routed to a local RAINN affiliate organization based on the first six digits of your phone number. Cell phone callers have the option to enter the ZIP code of their current location to more accurately locate the nearest sexual assault service provider.
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
California Department of Education: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Web page provides information on any type of sexual activity involving a child in exchange for something of value, or promise thereof, to the child or another person or persons.
U.S. Department of Education: Combatting Human Trafficking in America’s Schools
U.S. Department of State: 20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking
U.S. Department of State: Trafficking in Persons Report
Polaris: Serves as a data hub for the anti-human trafficking field, providing key data to deepen knowledge and understanding. The Polaris-operated U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline receives an increasing number of calls from victims and survivors reaching out for help.