Crime & Safety
Oct. 5 Forum Will Discuss Human Trafficking in Sonoma County
Local law enforcement officials and an FBI agent will be among those who speak at the event.
Human trafficking is very real, and it happens in Sonoma County: That's the message organizers of an Oct. 5 forum hope to send.
The Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights is holding a panel discussion in Santa Rosa with law enforcement agents and an official from a local rehabilitation group.
The full press release follows:
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Human trafficking does exist in Sonoma County.
The United Nations estimates that there are at least 21 million people around the world exploited in conditions of modern slavery. On a daily basis, multiple federal agencies – including the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Labor, and State -- combat this growing scourge which affects our young people in alarming numbers.
But if you think human trafficking is a problem only in large urban areas, you’re wrong!
Find out what's happening in Healdsburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights will hold a forum from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa in Santa Rosa to discuss human trafficking in Sonoma County. An expert panel will discuss scope of the human trafficking issue locally, what methods are being used to ‘recruit’ young people, how to protect your loved ones, and where to seek help for those affected. They will also share personal stories of what they have witnessed.
Panelists will include Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch, Santa Rosa Police Detective Chris Mahurin, Crossing the Jordan Executive Director Dana Bryant, and FBI Special Agent Marty Parker. Parker is a trafficking specialist who, among other efforts, was part of Operation Cross Country VII, anational law enforcement effort that arrested over 160 pimps and recovered more than 100 juveniles being forced to prostitute, in July 2013.
Find out what's happening in Healdsburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Groups are organizing marches to the forum, including a large group from Julliard Park area.
For more information, call the commission office at 707-565-2693 or visit the Commission’s Facebook Page at facebook.com/SonomaCountyCommissiononHumanRights or the Event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/513412632079039/
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