Rep. Juan Vargas Hosted a Panel Discussion on Combating Sex Trafficking with Special Guest Attorney General Xavier Becerra
San Diego, CA (October 17, 2017)—Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) hosted a panel discussion on Combating Sex Trafficking. The panel discussion on how to combat sex trafficking in our communities included special guest California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and panelists San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, Supervising Deputy Attorney General Maggy Krell, Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition Director Marisa Ugarte, and a reintegrated survivor of sex trafficking.
“Sex trafficking often goes undetected and underreported, but it is a crime that is prominent in our communities and targets vulnerable individuals,” said Rep. Vargas. “Local organizations, law enforcement, educators, and healthcare professionals should have the knowledge needed to detect signs of sex trafficking and know how to report it. And victims of sex trafficking should have access to the resources they need to live healthy lives free from violence and exploitation.”
According to a 2015 study from the University of San Diego, there are approximately 8,000 to more than 11,000 victims of sex trafficking in San Diego County each year. The study states that in San Diego County, the average age of entry into sex trafficking is 14 to 15 years of age.
“We must have these discussions to combat this form of modern day slavery and help victims of sex trafficking,” said Rep. Vargas. “Thank you to the panelists, our local organizations, and to Attorney General Becerra for actively working to put an end to sex trafficking in our communities.”
Researchers found that high schools in San Diego County are often recruitment sites for sex trafficking. Rep. Vargas is a co-sponsor of H.R. 2268 the Empowering Educators to Prevent Trafficking Act, a bipartisan bill that will help school districts train school staff to detect the signs that children are falling victim to sex trafficking and educate students on how to avoid becoming victims of sex trafficking. With proper training and educational resources, teachers and school staff can be an important frontline defense to fight against sex trafficking and help victims.
Additionally, researchers found that promotion and recruitment for sex trafficking has moved to online sites and social media. Exploiters are using technology to organize selling individuals, recruit victims, and use online advertisements to communicate sales. Rep. Vargas is a cosponsor of H.R. 1865 the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, a bipartisan bill that would hold websites accountable for publishing information or advertisements that promote sex trafficking.
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his third term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee.
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