Joan Pera, Supervising Deputy Probation Officer from the LA County Probation Department presented the uncomfortable topic of how lives are used and abused by others.

She explained that “Child Prostitution” is no longer an accepted term – these are VICTIMS, no longer identified as criminals since 2010.  As a result they need support and to regain their lives – they do not get involved in lives of sexual abuse on purpose or as a choice.

Ms. Pera reviewed the myths of how sex trafficking happens, and it is not as we expected; not just girls, not bad kids, not just male pimps and the problem continues to evolve and expand.  For example, gangs have found they can sell a child over and over – a more profitable trade than dealing drugs.

2001 statistics were quoted (probably worse now):

• every 26 seconds a child runs away 1.6 million per year.
• 1 in 3 will be approached within 48hrs at bus stations, train depots etc.
• The AVERAGE age is 12 years
• 70-90% have a history of child abuse

The at risk populations include

• homeless
• poor families who may pimp their child or sell them
• peers – recruitment is occuring at High and Middle Schools
• group home and foster homes
• kids kidnapped off the street
• the transgender population

The child trafficking unit has been working in the community to support those at risk and to extend help to them.  Foster care support has been increased twice: “Extended foster care” to age 21 and “foster care plus”  goes to the age of 24.  Prior to the extensions 14,100 arrests in 2009 in the 18-24 age bracket.

The topic makes most of us squirm.  What can we do?

• Support programs already in place with money; support the education of the community.
• mentor victims or include them in parts of your family life.
• read books on the topic, often by victims: Put “sex trafficking” in Amazon – there are lots of choices.

Arcadia Rotary is forming a committee to focus on the topic.  If you are interested in Stopping Human Trafficking please contact Rosie Mares.