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Board proclaims January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Month, highlights local task force work
Summary
The Board of Supervisors designated January 2025 as San Luis Obispo County Human Trafficking Awareness Month and recognized the county’s anti‑human‑trafficking task force and local victim services. Presenters noted 207 trafficking‑related cases in the county over the past decade and urged community awareness and the national hotline number.
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 21 adopted a resolution designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and recognized the county’s anti‑human‑trafficking task force and victim‑services partnerships.
District Attorney Dan Dowd and members of the anti‑human‑trafficking task force described the problem as a “covert” crime and said local agencies have investigated and prosecuted hundreds of trafficking‑related offenses over the past decade. Dowd told the board his office has tracked roughly 207 trafficking‑related incidents in the county during the task force’s first 10 years; he also cited state and federal estimates for broader context. Devin Drake, director of the county Department of Social Services, Jesse Yates of the Victim Witness Assistance Center and community nonprofit representatives described education, school outreach and multi‑agency response as key strategies. The board members thanked law‑enforcement and service providers and presented the proclamation.
The proclamation urges the public to become aware of human trafficking signs, to support survivors and to use the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888‑373‑7888; text “be free” to 23333) when appropriate, remarks at the meeting noted.
Why it matters: County and community partners highlighted both the local magnitude of trafficking‑related matters and the cross‑agency prevention and victim‑support efforts underway. Presenters asked for continued community awareness and cooperation with law enforcement and victim‑service providers.
Board action: The board adopted the resolution and invited task‑force partners and survivors’ service providers to join supervisors for a photo at the dais.
