Local, state and federal officials are drawing attention to a problem that touches families in Southern California by recognizing National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Saturday Jan. 11.
The U.S. Department of Justice estimates human trafficking generates $32 billion in profits annually worldwide, according to the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce.
More than 20 million men, women and children around the world are victims of human trafficking, according to estimates distributed by the Administration of Children and Families, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"The United States is a source, transit and destination country for some of these men, women and children -Â both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals -Â who are subjected to the injustices of human trafficking, including forced labor, debt bondage, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking," Children and Families officials said in a recent announcement.
The State Department is promoting an open competition for fiscal year 2014 that earns winners funding for a project to combat trafficking of persons outside the U.S. The contest was announced on October. Information is available on their website.
For more info about the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce visit www.riversidesheriff.org/bureaus/anti-human-traffic.
In San Bernardino County, the District Attorney's office offers information and support for those in need of help. They provide information on their C.A.S.E. unit that provides support to victims.
The FBI website also has information about some So Cal cases.
How much do you know about human trafficking? Take the Take the Human Trafficking Awareness Training.
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