Between 2017 - 2021, the Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force identified more than 190 survivors of human trafficking in our community. Of these, 30% are ages 17 and younger while another 33% are between the ages of 18-24. The issue has only worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, as local law enforcement have noted an uptick in trafficking incidences due to reduced opportunities for earning income, heightened mental health issues, and more. Human Trafficking is deeply entrenched, far-reaching, and requires a continuum of solutions from preventative policies and education to survivor identification to rehabilitative services.

In 2022, SB ACT hopes to expand the reach of the Human Trafficking Task Force by developing and facilitating a 3-year strategic plan for trafficking prevention and survivor care. As part of this plan, SB ACT will support the Prevention / Education, Housing & Shelter, Medical, Legislation, Data, and Interfaith Working Groups to develop concrete, measurable goals, create and facilitate a Labor Trafficking Working Group to begin outreach to SB County’s migrant farmworker populations, and build a referral / training network for Dignity Health’s “Medical Safe Haven Clinic” for survivors of trafficking.

Building and carrying out a comprehensive strategic plan is no small matter! SB ACT needs a total of $200,000 in order to realize this goal. These funds will cover the staffing needed to facilitate and manage a countywide strategic plan with more than 40 partner agencies, subject matter experts to assist with survivor data collection and analysis, a stipend to support survivor leadership in the development of the strategic plan, increased “Flexible Local Dollars” for any emergent survivor needs, and more. A comprehensive budget can be found below.

The good news: we’re already partway there. Will you join with us so that we can create a comprehensive plan to prevent human trafficking and care for survivors in our community?