Law enforcement officials launched a month-long outreach campaign aimed at raising awareness about boys who become victims of human trafficking amid National Human Trafficking Awareness month.
The campaign will run through January to broaden the public perception of who is vulnerable to being sexually trafficked. Officials hope bringing attention to this issue will improve screening, identification, and services for boys who are victims of sex trafficking.
“We must recognize the reality that the trafficking of boys is more common than the public may realize,” said DA Stephan. “We have a responsibility to protect all children who are being trafficked. This outreach is an extension of our work to increase awareness, improve identification and reporting, and develop specialty services for survivors who are boys.”
The San Diego County District Attorney’s office, the County Health, and Human Services Agency, and Child Welfare Service organized the campaign, which will appear on billboards, bus transit posters, social media, and public service announcements on the radio.
According to a study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, as many as 50% of the commercially sexually exploited children in the united states are boys. A 2013 study found that the commercial sexual exploitation of boys is vastly underreported.
“Tragically, as many as 50% of sexually trafficked children are boys and LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience sexual violence,” said Nick Macchione, Director of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. “It’s extremely important that we understand the gravity of the issue and take immediate action by raising awareness through this campaign with the support of our district attorney.”
For more information and additional resources, visit www.ProtectSanDiegoKids.org. For help for you or someone you love, call 800-344-6000 to reach caring, trained staff who can help.
