Press Conference
New Initiative Opening Path to Safety for Underage Survivors of Sex Trafficking Launches Across Southern California
Tuesday’s press conference with community partner Olive Crest held in Bellflower unveiled the opening of the first 3 of 7 drop-in centers located in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties, combined with comprehensive deployment of resources that include 24/7 rapid response teams to speed victims to safety, housing and ongoing support. Along with the support of integrating expertise from regional human trafficking task forces in Orange County and Los Angeles County, it will help strengthen cross-region collaborations that are pivotal in the fight to end human trafficking and ensure that underage survivors receive care and protection across California. This work by Olive Crest is supported by private and public partners, in addition to a $10 million grant from the State of California, over a three-year period.
Olive Crest has found that among the 5,000 vulnerable children that it serves daily – many of whom are from the foster care system – approximately 20% have been involved in sex trafficking, over 50% approached and 100% are at high risk for being targeted.
Speakers included:
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Donald Verleur, CEO, Olive Crest
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Michelle Heater, Program Director, Victim Assistance Programs, Waymakers
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Rick Armendariz, Chief of Police, Anaheim Police Department
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Robert Luna, Sheriff, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
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Frank Ramos, Deputy Director, Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services
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Nathan Hochman, District Attorney, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
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Alia Azariah, Survivor Leader and Subject Matter Expert
Link to watch video of speakers on OCHTTF Instagram: Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (@ochttf) • Instagram
