ABOUT US

The Siskiyou Anti-Trafficking Coalition is a group of community stakeholders working in collaboration to prevent and respond to cases of human trafficking, as well as provide services for human trafficking survivors.

Together, we are:

Providing education and raising awareness about human trafficking in Siskiyou County.

Collaborating to support survivor-focused and trauma-informed response to incidences of human trafficking.

Uniting to protect our community and prevent the growth of an industry that sees humans as commodities.

Report Trafficking

If you suspect that someone is being trafficked, there are a few different ways to respond, depending on the context of the situation. If you are unsure if someone is a victim of trafficking or as to how you ought to respond, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline. There are trained advocates available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, who can provide crisis intervention, screening services, and resource referral in over 200 languages.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center

1-888-373-7888

If the individual who discloses or you suspect to be a victim of abuse or trafficking is under or appears to be under the age of 18, contact Child Protective Services.

Siskiyou County Child Protective Services Reporting Hotline:

Business Hours: (530) 841-4200
After Hours: (530) 842-7009

If the individual is over the age of 18, and presents with injuries indicating that they are the victim of abuse/assault, report to local law enforcement immediately by phone or within two working days by written report. If the individual requires emergency medical treatment, call 911.

Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department:

(530) 842-8300 or (530) 842-2900

If the individual is over the age of 18 and is requesting support, help them by contacting the National Human Trafficking Hotline or local resources.

FAQ

What is human trafficking?

According to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, human trafficking is defined as:

(A) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of commercial sex act in which that act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion; or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or

(B) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

The first part of that definition refers to what is commonly known as sex trafficking, while the latter part of the definition refers to labor trafficking.

What is child sex trafficking?

Child sex trafficking refers specifically to individuals under the age of 18, and according to the above definition, any child who is induced to perform a commercial sex act is considered a trafficking victim whether or not the situation includes force, fraud, or coercion. A commercial sex act refers to any situation in which sex is exchanged for money, goods, or anything of value. Child sex trafficking is also known as Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, or CSEC.

Is human trafficking happening in Siskiyou County?

Yes. While there are not currently any documented cases or convictions, we do know that according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center there were 1,323 reported cases of human trafficking in California in 2016.

Interstate 5 is a major transportation route for traffickers, and is situated between Sacramento and Portland, which are both hubs for human trafficking on the west coast. In order to reach their destinations, traffickers are transporting their victims through the heart of Siskiyou County.

In February 2016 a couple in Shasta County was convicted of human trafficking a total of 7 victims. Their convictions included abduction for the purpose of prostitution, pimping a minor, child abuse, kidnapping, kidnapping for extortion and human-trafficking a minor for a sex act, pandering and false imprisonment by violence.

Learn more about the factors that put our community at risk for human trafficking here.

Who is being trafficked?

According to the California Office of the Attorney General, trafficking victims include men, women, and children. Victims are both American citizens and undocumented immigrants. Many victims lack family support, are isolated, and have backgrounds that include physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and substance abuse.

Who are the traffickers?

According to the California Office of the Attorney General, traffickers are “those who recruit, harbor, obtain, and provide victims to buyers of labor or sexual services.” Traffickers are both men and women of all ages, and can be business owners, gang members, pimps, family members, intimate partners, or strangers to their victims.

Why don’t trafficking victims just leave their traffickers?

There are many reasons why a human trafficking victim may not leave their trafficker. First off, a victim may not self-identify as a victim, or even understand what human trafficking is. Prior experiences with abuse may inhibit victims from realizing that they are being manipulated or exploited. Victims may also blame themselves, may not have a supportive family or community to return to, or may fear authorities. Additionally, traffickers can use threats, violence, and blackmail to prevent victims from leaving.

Resources

Local Resources

Siskiyou County Child Protective Services Reporting Hotline
Business Hours: (530) 841-4200
After Hours: (530) 842-7009

Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department
(530) 842-8300 or (530) 842-2900

Siskiyou Domestic Violence and Crisis Center
(530) 842-6629
24-Hour Hotline & Crisis Response

Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta
Human Trafficking Response Program
(530) 926-6111

Websites

Polaris Project

http://polarisproject.org

National Human Trafficking Hotline

https://humantraffickinghotline.org

Film

I Am Jane Doe

http://www.iamjanedoefilm.com 

Books

Walking Prey by Holly Austin Smith

Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd

CONTACT Us

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Subject

Comment (required)