Lake County Board proclaims January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Month

The Lake County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7, 2025, adopted a proclamation designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Lake County; the proclamation was signed by Board Chair EJ Crandall.

The proclamation notes that human trafficking is a serious, borderless crime affecting people of all ages and genders, cites an estimated 32 million people worldwide affected, and states that California ranks first among states in potential reports of human trafficking. It names local responders and service providers — including the District Attorney’s Office, the sheriff’s office, the Lakeport and Clearlake police departments, seven local Pomo tribes, and Lake Family Resources — and urges residents, schools and businesses to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Carol Roberts, program coordinator of Lake Family Resources’ human trafficking program, said the program operates with two advocates and that “between the three of us in the last five years, we have done over 8,000 services to people here in our communities that are dealing with trafficking.” Roberts told the board the organization provides a 24-hour hotline, advocacy, accompaniment and training on prevention and recognition.

Supervisor Sabati said she and Chair Crandall recently met with local victim advocates to discuss VOCA, federal funding for victim services, and emphasized the difficulty advocates face in gaining trust from survivors who may be intimidated or traumatized. “They are so intimidated, they are so humiliated, they are so brainwashed,” Sabati said, describing why sustained advocacy and funding are necessary to help victims come forward and support prosecutions.

Supervisor Rasmussen commended Lake Family Resources for its leadership and for providing multiple victim services over decades, saying she has been involved with the organization since its early years and praising its work on human trafficking and related services.

The board’s proclamation calls on local governments, schools, businesses, community members and others to support agencies assisting trafficking victims and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. The proclamation was recorded as passed and adopted Jan. 7, 2025, and signed by Board Chair EJ Crandall.

Roberts told the board that Lake Family Resources can provide trainings and listed the organization’s contact information at the meeting; she encouraged anyone who needs assistance to reach out to the organization for services and support.