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Council proclaims January 2025 Human Trafficking Prevention Month; DA and new county task force brief council
Summary
The City Council adopted a proclamation declaring January 2025 Human Trafficking Prevention Month and heard representatives from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, the Family Justice Center and the new anti‑sex and labor‑trafficking task force (ASSAULT) describe local investigations, victim services and training plans.
Lede: The Tracy City Council on Jan. 21 proclaimed January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month and received presentations from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, the county Family Justice Center and the new anti‑sex and labor‑trafficking task force.
Nut graf: District Attorney Ron Freitas said human trafficking “is slavery” and described prosecutions in San Joaquin County. County investigators asked the city for collaboration and suggested the city consider assigning a liaison or staff partner to the ASSAULT task force to strengthen local prevention and response.
Body: The council read a proclamation noting trafficking’s scope and praised collaborative work by law enforcement, victim services and community partners. District Attorney Ron Freitas said the office had prosecuted over 20 trafficking cases involving more than 30 victims in San Joaquin County and emphasized the need for cross‑sector coordination and survivor services.
San Joaquin County Sergeant Nathaniel Chun described the newly formed multi‑agency task force, ASSAULT (Anti‑Sex and Labor Trafficking), which includes county investigators, probation, Homeland Security and local law enforcement, and asked the city to consider a full‑time local partner to collaborate with the task force on prevention, training and victim support. Laura Ruzer Ish of the Family Justice Center and other victim‑witness advocates outlined outreach and education plans and urged public awareness.
Ending: Council accepted the proclamation and thanked county partners. County leaders asked local agencies and community groups to increase awareness, training and interagency collaboration to combat trafficking and to refer survivors for services.
