LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will receive a $1.5 million grant towards the establishment of a multi-agency task force targeting sex trafficking of children.
The task force, which will also involve the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will investigate high-priority trafficking crimes while also bringing together federal, state and local leaders to address the needs of victims, according to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who said the grant is part of $44 million in federal funding going to 16 sites across the nation to fund similar initiatives.
Utilizing a collaborative, victim-centered model, officials will work together from the beginning of each case to ensure the best possible outcomes for victims and the strongest possible prosecutions of traffickers, prosecutors said.
With the establishment of the task force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will expand its own anti-human trafficking program with the addition of several prosecutors specializing in trafficking cases.
“The devastating crime of human trafficking often is hidden behind the locked doors of a sweatshop or the supposedly ‘victimless’ crime of prostitution,” said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “Law enforcement in Los Angeles is now redoubling efforts to combat this horrific offense with additional resources, improved training and a growing awareness that perpetrators are often victimizing children.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said official response to child sex trafficking cases must involve more than prosecuting the perpetrators.
“As those who commit this horrible crime and prey on trafficking victims become more sophisticated, we must work together to find new and comprehensive strategies,” McDonnell said. “If we are to truly make a difference in combating human trafficking, we must do more than simply prosecute the wrong-doers. We need a regional, multi-disciplinary approach that enables us to cross jurisdictional and agency lines.”
“Working with other justice system and community partners, we will be able to amplify our ability to rescue and address the needs of the victim; investigate, effectively punish and proactively prevent criminal misconduct; and address the demand side by recognizing that buyers of sex with minors should be viewed as child molesters and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
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Ryan Hunt says
The money should be used to create a database on every adult who has a child and every child who has a guardian, what is there relation, where does the child go to school, how many adults reside in each household the child has residence, where do the children travel to, family members house, friends from schools house. Is the child going to establishments where there are multiple males in one location outside of family, what purpose is the child in company with multiple males who bare no relation. Also, use the money to micro chip every child once they reach the age of 3 and remove the chip once child reaches the age of 14. The chip reacts to high stress situations including sustained levels of fear and notifies the database which in turn notifies a created agency that polices child protective services and foster care facilities and investigates database notification concerns, the agency would replace campus police and security. The agency would be very similar to the secret service in uniform and conduct.
Not buyin it says
I find it hard to believe that is such a large amount of this child sex trafficking is going on to warrant such large amounts of money needed to control and stop it; I certainly hope there isn’t, and if there really is then I would volunteer my time to help bring that kinda sick $#!+ to an end!
Eric says
At one time, I harbored the same thought.
“According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, roughly 800,000 children are reported missing each year in the United States — that’s roughly 2,000 per day.”
I initially balked at that statistic too. But it’s pretty solid. Those that don’t go back home, are on their own. Naturally, a portion will turn to prostitution, whether forced or not, or wind up in other trafficking situations. It is a real problem, and not just here, but around the world.
WakeUp says
It’s much more common than you think and happening every single day all around us, not just in so call, but within our community even. If people would just open their eyes it would be obvious, all the ways it’s hiding in plain sight…
JustSayNoToAV says
I better get these kids out of my garage before they get that grant.
amber says
Do you think that is funny. What is wrong with you ?!? This is alot more common then people think and its something that shouldnt be joked about!! SMH
Johnny Trece says
Child Sex Trafficking = Ultimate Evil
This should never exist.