County offices and South Bay Coalition outline services, gaps and a regional resource‑navigator ahead of 2026 events

County officials and community partners briefed the Human Trafficking Commission on May 1 about service capacity, gaps and coordinated regional planning ahead of the large sporting events scheduled for 2026.

Carla Collins of the County Executive’s Office, who leads the Office of Gender Based Violence Prevention, said the office is completing a county prevalence study and needs assessment on human trafficking and gender‑based violence; Collins said the assessment work is “well underway” and expected to be released later this summer. Collins also described existing county efforts: a transformation team to coordinate services for commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC), a SAFE forensic‑exam program and cross‑agency contracts for victim services. She reported that, in one recent quarterly snapshot, county systems recorded 96 reports of suspected CSEC activity between January and March of the year.

Sharon (last name given in meeting materials), director of the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, described the coalition’s 20‑year regional convening role, said the coalition operates with a small staff and about 30 member agencies, and flagged funding threats to victim services — notably federal cuts to VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding that have reduced some providers’ capacity. Sharon said legal services and housing remain major gaps: some local legal providers that clients used to walk into have seen funding reductions, and units of transitional housing for survivors are insufficient for demand.

Sharon outlined a proposed publicly accessible online resource navigator—presented in the meeting as a mock‑up at safetyforthebay.org—that would allow people to click by issue (for example, “sexual assault,” “housing,” “immigration”) and see locally available confidential and law‑enforcement options by county. She said the goal is to present consistent, plain‑language options (including the national human‑trafficking hotline) so visitors to the region as well as residents can find help quickly.

Both Collins and Sharon urged the commission to help secure steady funding for regional coordination and for community‑based organizations that provide direct services. Commissioners also discussed school‑based training obligations under state law and noted that AB 1227/AB 122? (state mandate referenced at the meeting) required educational components with little funding attached; presenters asked for help in ensuring training is implemented and resourced.

Several commissioners and presenters emphasized the importance of non‑law‑enforcement, trauma‑informed advocates being present during multi‑victim operations and closure activities and noted that California law now requires the right to a human‑trafficking advocate during follow‑up interviews. Presenters said county protocol has required advocates for several years, and that having advocates present is a best practice that helps survivors engage with services and with justice options.