Probation’s Role in Preventing Human Trafficking Since 2011, when L.A. County was identified as a major hub for the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), under the direction and with the support of the Board of Supervisors, the Probation Department has paved the way for innovative and collaborative efforts to identify and rescue trafficked and sexually-exploited children. L.A. County Probation’s Child- Trafficking Unit (CTU) was implemented in January 2012 as a collaborative effort between Probation and the courts to address the needs of this population: proper identification, referral to STAR Court, and linking victims to rehabilitative services in the community and foster care settings. Probation’s CTU is an intensive supervision model designed to address the needs of sexually-exploited youth between the ages of 11 and 21. Probation’s CSEC unit has created 19 different types of training, offered over 183 training classes and provided training to over 19,000 individuals.* *between Jan. 2015 and Sept. 2018 Education Is Key to Helping Victims The L.A. First Responder Protocol has revolutionized the way law enforcement and social services personnel approach and treat victims of sex trafficking since its implementation in 2014. L.A. County Probation’s CSEC Unit has led the effort to actively 5Ways Probation’s Child-Trafficking Unit Helped CSEC Youth in 2018 Helped 31 CSEC youth graduate from high school through collaborative efforts of Probation, DCFS, LACOE, LAUSD, and the STAR Court Supported 14 CSEC youth who have testified against their exploiter in adult court Advocated for two CSEC youth to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend a week-long Congressional Foster Care Shadow Day program Provided services and support to over 149 CSEC youth recovered through the Law Enforcement First Responder Protocol Created and trained over 68,000 county employees in a two-hour online CSEC awareness training module, complying with a Board of Supervisors mandate develop training programs to address the issue of sex trafficking and assist its victims. Trainings have been created to specifically address schools, motel personnel, county employees, firefighters, law enforcement, and religious organizations. Probation has provided in-classroom training to over 19,000 employees and partners and to over 43,000 on-line participants on skills necessary to recognize and assist commercially sexually-exploited children in the past three years. Probation’s expertise has also become a resource for other jurisdictions across the country. “This training was amazing. It is inspiring to know that our youth can recover from the hell they have been subjected to – that there really is hope.” — Participant from Department of Children and Family Services “Absolutely outstanding and necessary training. As educators and nurses, it is imperative that we are aware of this issue and know how to recognize and respond to the signs.” — School counselor Former Probation youth and CSEC survivor Oree Freeman has become an advocate and advisor to Probation in helping boys and girls from being trafficked for sex. Supporting Victims: The Probation Child-Trafficking Unit L.A. County Probation Department | 2018 Annual Report 13 12 L.A. County Probation Department | 2018 Annual Report