Dear Mayor Combs, Vice Mayor Nash and Council Members:
It was brought to my attention that the subject matter of the email below triggered a confidential setting and may have made it more difficult for you to access and forward, so I am re-sending it for your consideration.
Thank you,
Pamela Estes
Advocacy Coordinator
San Mateo County
pestes@smcgov.org
C: 650-743-4351
https://stophumantraffickingsmc.org/
noencrypt
From: Pamela Estes
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 11:01 AM
To: "city.council@menlopark.org"
Subject: Request to pass resolution against human trafficking and notice of webinar series during January 2021
Dear Mayor Combs, Vice Mayor Nash and Council Members:
I’d like to talk to you about the crime of human trafficking. Many people still think human trafficking is an issue that happen in other countries and to other people, but they couldn’t be more wrong. It happens to United States citizens. It is happening throughout the U.S., and it happens in San Mateo County. In fact, in 2019, 304 individuals were identified within San Mateo County who had been victimized by human trafficking.
1. Issue a Proclamation Against Human Trafficking
I’d like to encourage you to issue a proclamation against human trafficking this month at one of your council meetings. To make it easier, I’m attaching a sample proclamation for your consideration.
1. Promote the San Mateo County Human Trafficking Program Webinar Series – January 2021
The San Mateo County Human Trafficking Program is hosting a free, open to the public, educational webinar series this month. Four webinars are scheduled on Thursday evenings, from 6:30PM-7:45PM on January 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2021. The January 14th webinar will be presented in Spanish. All others will be presented in English. I’d like to ask for your assistance in promoting these educational opportunities to your staff, employees and residents. Attached is a flyer with more details about the topics and how to register for the webinars, in addition to jpegs for social media posts. Finally, here are the links to register:
January 7th - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l4bs-6AgTsOCBdlCe0Q64Q
January 14th - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nRzvcQGvTYaqDMkS_f9a6A
January 21st - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bVpcbJWwRuKkNZa9QzEs6w
January 28th - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QErjaKVIT-C54c6amR2hLQ
Here is some additional information I want to share with you about human trafficking:
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
The United States Senate designated January 11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in 2007 and it is observed annually. Beginning in 2010, by Presidential Proclamation, each January has been designated National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is a crime which occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to exploit another person for the purpose of engaging in a commercial sex act or forced labor or services. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age. Through control and exploitation, traffickers take advantage of the vulnerability of others in order to profit from their sexual exploitation or forced labor. Human trafficking is a global, national, and regional problem. It is a lucrative crime and is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world.
The FBI has identified California and the San Francisco Bay Area as an area of high prevalence for human trafficking. Although human trafficking is illegal, victims often do not recognize their victimization, do not know that help is available, or where to seek assistance. Additionally, community members may not know how to report suspicious situations.
Why is human trafficking a big problem in California?
Victims of human trafficking have been found in every region of California. While some populations are at a higher risk, any person of any age, race, gender or nationality can be a victim of human trafficking. Victims are trafficked in a variety of industries and settings, limited only by the coercive control of the trafficker. California is a populous state and has the largest number of foster children and the largest immigrant population in the United States. The numerous diverse communities of the Bay Area make it easier to hide and move victims from place to place, making it difficult for law enforcement to locate and help potential victims. Victims of human trafficking are often “hidden in plain sight.”
You can help fight human trafficking.
By raising your own awareness of this crime, and the awareness of others, you can help victims and our community by learning the signs of human trafficking and how to respond when you see suspicious circumstances. Where there is an increase in the number of reported human trafficking situations there is an increase in the number of victims identified and offered assistance.
The San Mateo County Human Trafficking Program
The San Mateo County Human Trafficking Program was created in 2015. The Program is housed within the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and is funded by Measure K funds. Currently, the Program is staffed by two, part-time contractors, John Vanek, Human Trafficking Program Coordinator, and myself. We both came on-board in January 2018 and have been working together to enhance the County's response to human trafficking.
Thank you for consideration of this request, and your service to the community.
Sincerely,
Pamela Estes
Human Trafficking Advocacy Coordinator
San Mateo County
pestes@smcgov.org
C: 650-743-4351
https://stophumantraffickingsmc.org/