The Kern County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7 unanimously adopted a proclamation declaring January 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Kern County and recognized local anti‑trafficking partners and survivors for their work.

Dustin Contreras, a sergeant with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and identified by the board as co‑chair of the county anti‑trafficking coalition, described the county’s geographic and transportation profile and why county partners are focusing resources on prevention and victim services. "Kern County, where we sit geographically... it's a great place to move goods. So this is just a great place to have a logistical center," Contreras said, warning that the same features that support commerce also attract traffickers.

Contreras and other partners highlighted multi‑agency work: the district attorney’s task force, sheriff’s office units, Bakersfield Police Department vice and human‑trafficking units, probation, Department of Human Services units that handle commercial sexual exploitation of children, survivor advocates and community nonprofits. Contreras credited lived‑experience experts and survivor leaders for guiding policy and service design in the county.

Kern Medical staff described a new, organizational‑wide human‑trafficking task force formed in early 2024 to identify, protect and support victims who present to hospitals. Tanya Barrazo of Kern Medical said the hospital will launch an approach this month aimed at improving victim identification and care across its facilities.

The board recorded the proclamation in the minutes and presented it to coalition members; the clerk recorded the vote as "all ayes." Supervisors praised partners and named agencies that participate in the coalition, and survivors and service providers in the audience were recognized by name by coalition leaders.

What the proclamation does and next steps: The declaration is ceremonial but intended to elevate awareness, support ongoing coordination and help the county and partners target prevention and survivor‑support resources during January and beyond. Coalition leaders urged continued cross‑agency training, survivor‑led program design and outreach to underserved parts of the county.

Additional board action: none. The proclamation was presented and approved; coalition leaders said they will continue operational work with law‑enforcement, hospitals and nonprofit partners.