One of the difficult aspects of identifying victims of human trafficking is the underground nature of the crime itself fueled in part by the prevalence of the Internet and social media. For example, in 2012, 336 prostitution-related cases were filed in San Bernardino County, the majority of which were the result of proactive sting operations conducted by those agencies with known prostitution tracks in their jurisdiction (San Bernardino, Ontario and Montclair Police Departments).

This number includes those soliciting sex and those offering sexual services, but it’s important to point out that it only denotes those who were caught and subsequently arrested. The number of pimping cases is even smaller. in 2012, only 16 cases related to pimping and pandering were filed.

According to a 2009 National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking by Shared Hope International, children exploited through prostitution report they typically are given a quota by their trafficker/pimp of 10 to 15 buyers per night. Utilizing a conservative estimate, a domestic minor sex trafficking victim would be raped by 6,000 buyers during the course of her victimization through prostitution. The problem is bigger, though–much bigger.

The low risks and potential for high profits associated with trafficking are now steering criminals away from smuggling drugs and guns, which are generally riskier pursuits. According to California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, domestic and transnational gangs have expanded from trafficking guns and drugs to trafficking human beings. The perpetrators of human trafficking have become more sophisticated and organized, requiring an equally sophisticated law enforcement response to disrupt and dismantle their networks.

If you are the victim of human trafficking or know someone who needs help, please call your local law enforcement agency, or the National Human Trafficking hotline at (888) 373-7888.

Victims of human trafficking are forced to walk the streets and work in motels and private residences, as well as work in the oftentimes horrific conditions of sweatshops for little or no pay. In doing so, they are robbed of their dignity and forced to live in fear and silence.

While the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute traffickers and “johns”–those who solicit sex for money–to the fullest extent of the law, in order to properly serve trafficking victims, it is important to employ a victim-centered approach.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that a victim should not have to suffer further trauma after the crime but rather be connected with the appropriate social services so they can move on with their lives.

Doing so will also increase the likelihood that they will be more receptive to helping with the investigation and prosecution of their trafficker who should be held accountable their criminal actions.

You only have to testify in court if you receive a subpoena from the District Attorney ordering you to appear in court to testify in a trial. But at least 90% of Domestic Violence cases are resolved without going to trial. This is how it works:

The San Bernardino County Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation (C.A.S.E.) is a partnership of public and private entities who have joined together to develop resources in the county to educate, prevent, intervene and treat victims of sexual exploitation. The CASE goal is to coordinate services tailored to the characteristics and circumstances of these children, train law enforcement on investigation and detection, educate the public and create awareness to protect children from abuse and exploitation.

Since that initial meeting in March 2009, much has been accomplished. The Department of Behavioral Health obtained state funding under the Mental Health Act and CASE now has four paid full time staff providing direct services to these children. There is a funded coordinator, social worker, probation officer and behavioral health clinician all working with sexually exploited minors in the dependency and delinquency courts. CASE team leaders from the Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney, Public Defender, Children’s Network, Children & Family Services, Behavioral Health, Probation Department and County Schools meet monthly to determine how best to utilize existing resources to maximize the provision of services across the county.

Since the inception of CASE in 2009, approximately 4,000 law enforcement and community members have been trained about the plight of trafficking in San Bernardino County. CASE team members have also provided services and resources to approximately 75 young people who were victims of sexual exploitation.