LOS ANGELES, Calif.— Today the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Chair Holly J. Mitchell and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, to establish a Countywide awareness campaign and protocols for preventing human trafficking at national and international events hosted in the region.
“For the past decade the County has been a national leader in the fight to end human trafficking – a multi-billion-dollar industry that preys on vulnerable minors” said Chair Mitchell, Supervisor for the Second District. “Today’s motion seeks to build on our efforts by coordinating with events that are prime targets for this crisis to implement strategies that will save lives and raise awareness.”
“I thank Chair Mitchell for allowing me to co-author this critical motion which sheds greater light on the public health issue of human trafficking,” shared Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. “As home to this year’s Superbowl and several major sports events later this decade, we have a responsibility to protect Angelenos from falling victim to this epidemic and increase prevention efforts by elevating a regional approach with County departments and community stakeholders. This motion does just that.”
Large sporting events often serve as the backdrop for the sexual exploitation of children and minors, partly due to the influx of people from all over the world that converge at these events. To help inform game goers and residents in surrounding communities on how to spot and report human trafficking, the motion calls for an awareness campaign in partnership with the advocacy organization, Athletes for Impact.
Danielle Frost, Co-Founder of Athletes for Impact shared, “Athletes for Impact is honored to partner with LA County and champions like Laila Ali, founder of Knock Out Human Trafficking, in helping to disrupt this vicious cycle of exploitation at major events. We commend the Board of Supervisors for its consistent leadership on this pressing issue.”
The motion directs the Chief Probation Officer as the Chair of the Integrated Leadership Team, in coordination with County Counsel and relevant County departments to report back in 90 days with a standard operating procedure for major events and to include the challenges preventing school districts to be fully compliant with the Human Trafficking Prevention Education and Training Act.
To read the full motion click here.
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