Long Beach — On Oct. 30, 2025, council members from the 8th and 9th districts hosted a human trafficking summit that brought survivors, service providers and city officials together to press for expanded training, prevention and survivor services.

The summit centered on persistent activity along Long Beach Boulevard and in neighboring areas. Council member Rick Soady said the effort aims to link economic development, public safety and health services to provide alternatives to trafficking. Organizers framed the summit as a resource hub for survivors, with panelists emphasizing the need for coordinated outreach to police, schools and social-service agencies.

Survivors described barriers to finding help. "For a long time, I had no voice," one survivor said, recounting the challenges of leaving a trafficking situation and the ongoing need for youth education and access to services. Speakers called for training for teachers, students, parents and caregivers and for clearer, easier routes for survivors to connect with law enforcement and support organizations.

Service providers at the summit urged the city and partners to move beyond awareness-building to concrete, sustained investment in wraparound services, including housing navigation, mental-health supports and workforce development. Organizers said the summit fostered dialogue with survivors to ensure local programs reflect lived experience.

City officials directed viewers to the city's online report and resources for more information on the municipal response and next steps (longbeach.gov). The summit did not produce a formal vote or ordinance; speakers described it as a planning and coordination step toward longer-term interventions.