Alameda-Contra Costa Transit (AC Transit) is continuing its efforts to stop human trafficking by signing the U.S. Department of Transportation’s pledge to “Put the Brakes on Human Trafficking.”
To magnify efforts to contain and eliminate human trafficking, AC Transit is supporting the lead of the offices of Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton, along with county law enforcement, Alameda County and Contra Costa County Sheriffs to heighten public awareness of this issue.
AC Transit’s human trafficking awareness training of bus operators and road supervisors began December 2020. This training commenced with the support and guidance of the Alameda County District Attorney and the Alameda County Sheriff’s offices. All road supervisors have completed the training and by the end of December 2021, most bus operators will have completed the training to recognize and report signs of human trafficking as part of a district standard training curriculum.
AC Transit notes Alameda County is the third highest “hot spot” for human trafficking in the United States. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office reports that 4,700 youth are victims of sex trafficking: sixty-one percent are Black, followed by 15 percent Latinx, 12 percent Caucasian and 12 percent Other.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney reports that it is also identified as one of the national hot spots for human trafficking. A total of 400 youth are sex trafficking victims and there has been substantial reasoning to suspect an underreporting of the activity, says AC Transit.
The International Labor Organization estimates that as many as 24.9 million children, women and men globally, including 100,000 in the United States, are forced into prostitution, domestic servitude or other enslaved labor.
In Spring 2020, AC Transit’s Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 20-019, which unequivocally declares the agency’s solidarity with nationwide Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT). Additionally, AC Transit signed a pledge to join the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration and other leading transportation authorities in taking the following actions: educating employees on how to recognize and report signs of human trafficking, and raising awareness among the traveling public.
AC Transit highly commends its fellow transit partners who have organized transportation leaders to put the brakes on human trafficking.
If you need help or if you see warning signs that someone else may need help, please notify the designated hotline by calling (888) 373-7888 or texting 233733; or call 911.
