HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD Grand Jury Response re Human Sex Traffickingcarr of Agenda Item No: 4.i
n4 Meeting Date: August 15, 2016
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Police/Fire
Prepared by: Diana Bishop City Manager Approval:
Chief of Police
TOPIC: Response to the Grand Jury Report on Human Sex Trafficking
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Rafael
Approving and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the City of San Rafael Response
to the 2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report Entitled "Marin's Hidden
Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening in Our Backyard"
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution approving the proposed response
to the Grand Jury report and authorizing the Mayor to execute the response.
BACKGROUND:
The 2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury has issued its report dated June 16, 2016 entitled
"Mann's Hidden Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening in Our Backyard" (see Attachment
B). The Grand Jury has requested a response from all the cities and towns in Marin and the Central
Marin Police Authority. The City of San Rafael has been requested to respond to Findings 171-1713 and
Recommendations R1 -R7. The Grand Jury's findings and recommendations are set out on pages twenty-
two and twenty-three (22 and 23) of the thirty-two (32) page report.
The Grand Jury recommends the following:
• All law enforcement officers should be consistently trained in the Marin County Uniform Law
Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking.
• All Marin law enforcement agency heads should ensure their officers receive the California
mandated two hour human trafficking training.
The Board of Supervisors should convene a local group of human trafficking experts (including
Children and Family Services (CFS), law enforcement subject experts, FBI, victim advocates,
DAs, and perhaps a victim) to create a multidisciplinary training presentation. This training
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.: 269
Council Meeting: 08/15/2016
Disposition: Resolution 14182
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
should include the unique roles of all county personnel, resources, and processes in addressing
human trafficking. Additional resources will be needed to support this training as none are
devoted to this task now. This training should include information on the trafficking of females
and males, as well as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) persons.
• Once this multi -disciplinary training package is completed, Marin County law enforcement
agencies should ensure that all Marin law enforcement officers be trained.
Marin County fire departments should ensure that all Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
personnel are trained in recognizing human trafficking and how to report it, and incorporate this
in their annual training.
The Board of Supervisors should fund the creation of a database that systematically tracks adult
and minor victims, using consistent classification and shared definitions to properly identify the
victim and the crime, as well as document its prevalence. Data should be gathered from any
organization dealing with trafficking victims, including law enforcement agencies, government
agencies (e.g. Marin County Health & Human Services), civic organizations, and victim
advocate organizations.
• Marin County Office of Education should work with the Marin County School/Law Enforcement
Partnership to develop educational programs to ensure that student, parents, and teachers are
trained in recognizing the signs of human trafficking and where they can find help.
The Board of Supervisors should provide the Marin County Human Trafficking Coalition with
resources necessary to expand community outreach to schools, faith communities and the public.
The Coalition should explore a grant for a dedicated position that supports coalition logistics and
outreach campaigns.
ANALYSIS:
As more fully set forth in the proposed response to the Grand Jury (see exhibit to attached Resolution),
Staff agrees with Grand Jury Findings F7 -F8 and F12-13. Staff partially disagrees with Findings F1, F4 -
F6, F9, and F11. Staff disagrees wholly with Findings F2, F3 and F10. Staff has implemented
Recommendations R1, R2 and R5. Recommendations R3, R4, R6 and R7 require further analysis.
The City is required to respond to the Grand Jury Report. Penal Code Section 933 states in part:
"No later than 90 days after the Grand Jury submits a final report ... the governing body of the
public agency shall comment to the presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and
recommendations ... [contained in the report]."
To comply with this statute, the City's response to the Grand Jury report must be approved by
Resolution of the City Council and submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Marin County Superior Court
and the Foreperson of the Grand Jury by September 14, 2016. A proposed Resolution is attached that
would approve the City's response (Attachment A).
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
OPTIONS:
The City is required to respond, however, the Council could make changes to the proposed response and
then adopt the Resolution and revised response. Alternatively, the Council could return the response to
staff for further response and return to the Council at a later meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution approving the proposed response
to the Grand Jury report and authorizing the Mayor to execute the response.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution with attached proposed response
B. Grand Jury report dated June 16, 2016
RESOLUTION NO. 14182
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN RAFAEL APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL'S
RESPONSE TO THE 2015-2016 MARIN COUNTY CIVIL
GRAND JURY REPORT ENTITLED "MARIN'S HIDDEN
HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING CHALLENGE, IT'S
HAPPENING IN OUR BACKYARD"
WHEREAS, pursuant to Penal Code section 933, a public agency which receives a Grand
Jury Report addressing aspects of the public agency's operations, must comment on the Report's
findings and recommendations contained in the Report in writing within ninety (90) days to the
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court with a copy to the Foreperson of the Grand Jury; and
WHEREAS, Penal Code section 933 specifically requires that the "governing body" of the
public agency provide said response and, in order to lawfully comply, the governing body must
consider and adopt the response at a noticed public meeting pursuant to the Brown Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Rafael has received and reviewed the
2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report, dated June 16, 2016, entitled "Marin's Hidden
Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening In Our Backyard" and has agendized it at this
meeting for a response.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San
Rafael hereby:
1. Approves and authorizes the Mayor to execute the City of San Rafael's response,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, to the 2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand
Jury Report entitled "Marin's Hidden Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening in Our
Backyard."
2. Directs the City Clerk to forward the City's Grand Jury Report response to the
Presiding Judge of the Marin County Superior Court and to the Foreperson of the Marin County
Civil Grand Jury.
I, Esther Beime, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the San Rafael
City Council held on Monday, August 15, 2016 by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk
2015/2016 MARIA COUNTY CIVIL GRA/YD JURY
Marin's Hidden Duman f ex Trafficking Challenge
W6 Happening in Our bacKyara
Report Date: June 16, 2016
Public Release Pate: June 23, 2016
COUNTY OF MARIN
2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury
Marin's Hidden Human Sex Trafficking Challenge
It's Happening In Our Backyart_
SUMMARY
"Reading text messages from their 16 -year-old daughter as she begged for help, the parents of
the young girl could only imagine the nightmare she was living. She was being used as a sex
slave and threatened with violence. This wasn't some Third -World nation. It was happening in
Marin."1
"Armed with a photo of the victim and copies of the text messages provided by the FBI, San
Rafael police scoured the Canal Neighborhood, the victim's last known location. Officers
eventually found the victim and a female suspect at the San Rafael Transit Center. Police officers
arrested Samantha Johns, a 19 -year old Vallejo resident, for human trafficking. A second
suspect, the male, was not in the area."2
Federal law defines human sex trafficking as "trafficking in which a commercial sex act is
induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not
attained 18 years of age".3 It occurs both internationally and domestically. The Grand Jury's
investigation into human sex trafficking examined its prevalence in Marin, how effectively law
enforcement pursues it, what resources are devoted to it, how victims are helped, and the level of
outreach. Based on our investigation, the Grand Jury concluded:
■ Human sex trafficking is thought to be prevalent in Marin, but mostly unrecognized,
under -reported, and rarely subject to intervention. Statistics are hard to come by because
of the hidden nature of the crime, the lack of resources to pursue cases, the highly labor
intensive investigations required, and the absence of a county -wide database to track it.
The Board of Supervisors should fund the creation of a database that systematically
tracks victims using consistent classifications and shared definitions, to properly
identify the victim and the crime, as well as document its prevalence. Data should be
collected from government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and civic
organizations that deal with sex trafficking victims.
■ Some law enforcement officers have not been effectively trained in the Marin County
Uniform Law Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking. Law enforcement agencies
should ensure that all officers are consistently trained in these protocols.
■ State law mandates two hours of training on human trafficking and some Marin law
enforcement agencies may not be complying with this law, as not all agency heads could
1Derek Wilson, "Authorities Hit Brakes on Human Trafficking", January 14, 2015, Marinscope Newspapers,
http: //www. marinscope. com/news_pointer/news/authorities-hit-brakes-on-human-trafficking/article_fa439662-
9c32-11 e4-a6da-205f8589b41.html
2 Ibid
3 Kamala Harris, Attorney General, "The State of Human Trafficking in California", 2012
Human Sex Trafficking
confirm that their officers received this training. All Marin law enforcement agency
heads should make sure their officers receive this state mandated training.
■ An effective consistent training package for law enforcement that incorporates the roles
of all County resources/processes in addressing human trafficking does not exist. The
Board of Supervisors should provide resources for and convene a local
multidisciplinary team to create supplemental training on human trafficking to all
law enforcement agencies. This training might also include that mandated by the
state, as well as the Marin County Uniform Law Enforcement Protocol for Human
Trafficking to provide a seamless experience.
■ Human trafficking training for medical and fire department EMS professionals is
inconsistent - some have been trained, some have not, and some who have been trained
have not been trained recently. Healthcare providers and EMS professionals are in a
unique position to recognize the signs of human trafficking since 88% of domestic
victims have contact with these workers while being trafficked .4 Marin County fire
departments should ensure that all EMS personnel are trained in recognizing
human trafficking and where victims can find help.
■ Human trafficking training of students, teachers, and parents by Marin school districts is
inconsistent, although the Marin County Office of Education has hosted several
educational efforts for some educators and the public. This training is particularly
important as the average age of solicitation is 12-14 years of age.5 According to Marin
County District Attorney Nicole Panteleo, half of the victims with whom she works are
from Marin County.6 Students must recognize the signs of a peer being recruited, parents
must understand how to monitor their child's activities, and teachers need to report
suspicious activities. The Marin County School/Law Enforcement Partnership
should develop and implement programs to educate students, parents, and teachers
to recognize the signs of human trafficking and where to find help.
■ Public outreach campaigns are insufficient and do not reach all critical audiences. A
number of well-regarded groups are conducting outreach, but budgets are small,
resources scarce and communications fragmented. The Board of Supervisors should
provide the Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking with the resources
needed to support the organization and expand its community outreach.
4 Dan Gorenstein, "Healthcare Takes on the Fight Against Trafficking", March 2, 2016, httt)://www.marketr)lace.or2
5 Heather Clausen, et al, "Human Trafficking Into and within the United States", 2009
6 Danielle Chemtob, "Marin's Hidden Trafficking Industry", October 20, 2015, httD://www.redwoodbark.or2
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 2 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
BACKGROUND
Marin's informal Human Trafficking Task Force received a tip that a juvenile was offering sex
through a website for escorts in December 2014. Investigators arranged a sting to meet the minor
at a motel and determined that she was an 18 year-old runaway who was being trafficked by
Shawn Buckley of Novato and his fiance, Jazmin Moniq Khayami of San Anselmo. The couple
took the victim's money and gave her only what was necessary to keep her working for sex
clients, such as food and clothing. Both have accepted a plea deal, with Shawn Buckley
receiving a prison sentence of nine years, four months in March 2016.8
This 18 -year-old girl was one of the lucky ones. Many other victims don't escape and are
trafficked until they are no longer of value to their traffickers. Identifying these victims, assisting
them in leaving their traffickers and finding on-going help has proved to be a challenge for
communities and governments alike.
Human sex trafficking has become a widespread scourge of our time with around 4.5 million
victims worldwide.9 Two million are children with 100,000 minors in the commercial sex trade
in the US alone.10 And California has three of the FBI's 13 highest human sex trafficking areas
in the nation: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego."
Because of our proximity to San Francisco, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury initiated this
investigation about human trafficking in Marin to answer the following questions:
■ Do we know how pervasive it is?
■ Does Marin law enforcement have enough resources and training to effectively pursue
traffickers and are they doing so?
■ Once victims are identified, are they receiving the social services necessary to survive
and turn their lives around?
■ Are we taking steps to educate the public and professionals on how to identify and help
victims?
Definition of Human Trafficking
Under California Penal Code 236.1 PC, the crime of "human trafficking" in California is defined
as:
1. Depriving someone of their personal liberty with the intent to obtain forced labor or
services from them,
2. Depriving someone of their personal liberty with the intent to violate California's
pimping and pandering laws, California's child pornography laws, California laws
against extortion and blackmail, or certain other California laws concerning commercial
sexual activity and the sexual exploitation of children, or
7 Gary Klein, "Trial Ordered for Couple in Pimping Case", August 25, 2015, Marin IJ
8 Gary Klein, "Novato Man Sentenced to Prison for Pimping Runaway", March 18, 2016, Marin IJ
9 Kamala Harris, Attorney General, "The State of Human Trafficking in California", 2012
10 Polaris Project, "Human Trafficking Statistics", 2010
11 California Against Slavery. "What is Human Trafficking?", February 25, 2014
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 3 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
3. Persuading or trying to persuade a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, with the
intent to violate one of those same laws. 12
The International Labor Organization estimates that for every one victim of sex trafficking there
are nine victims of labor trafficking worldwide. However, sexual exploitation is by far the most
commonly identified form of trafficking in persons:
■ Identified sex trafficking victims:
79%
■ Identified labor trafficking victims:
18%
■ Identified other trafficking victims:
3%13
100%
Thus, this investigation will focus primarily on human sex trafficking.
Any individual under the age of 18 induced into commercial sex is automatically a victim of sex
trafficking. For juveniles, the law does not require force, fraud, or coercion. Under CA law, a
minor cannot consent to sex with an adult. These children are not prostitutes, but rather, victims
of rape. 14
Many people believe human trafficking is the smuggling of victims from other countries, but
according to the 2012 California Attorney General report, 72% of California's victims are
American. 15 Human trafficking is about modern day slavery without regard to country of origin.
Domestic women and girls — even girls from Marin — are trafficked and coerced into the sex
industry. 16
Not all sex workers are trafficking victims in the sense that they have been explicitly coerced
into prostitution. However, a huge percentage of prostituted women and girls are subject to
constant physical and psychological abuse.
Scope of the Human Sex Trafficking Problem
Human sex trafficking is widespread in America — victims are sold in all 50 states. Yet there is
limited public awareness of its scope. According to the US Department of Health and Human
Services, human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world, making it
second only to drug trafficking. 17 Yet, it is difficult to estimate the total number of victims in the
US due to the hidden nature and control the exploiter has over the victims. Experts indicated in
2010 that there were at least 100,000 child victims of sex trafficking in the US, while upwards of
325,000 remain at risk. 18 Adding in adult victims makes this number even greater.
Prostitution is so profitable that urban gangs are switching from drug trafficking to sex
trafficking. Drugs can be sold only once, while a sex trafficking victim can be "used" over and
12 California Penal Code 236.1 PC: See Appendix for full description
13 International Labour Office, "ILO Global Estimate of Forced Labor: Results and Methodologies, 2012
14 California Penal Code 236.1 PC: See Appendix for full description
15 Kamala Harris, "The State of Human Trafficking in California", 2012
16 Grand Jury interviews with Marin County law enforcement agencies
17 htto://www.socialworkers.ori4/diversity/affirmative action/humanTrafficl206.PDF
18 Kotrla, K., "Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in The United States", 2010
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 4 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
over again. Trafficking sex victims can be less risky than selling drugs. When caught with drugs,
there is an obvious commitment of a crime. When caught with a victim, the secrecy and
psychological abuse of the victim can make conviction of the pimp far less probable.
A pimp can make $150,000-200,000 per child each year and exploits an average of 4-6 girls per
year. 19 And according to the 2014 Urban Institute study on the commercial sex economy in eight
US cities, pimps in one city studied earned an average of $32,822 per week.20
Who are the victims?
Sex trafficking victims come from rural, urban, and suburban communities throughout the US.
They have diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and varied levels of education. Victims can even
come from stable, two-parent upper income homes. She can even be the girl next door. With
access to the Internet, where recruitment is rampant, a naive child can easily become seduced by
the slick, enticing trafficker's postings. The average age of solicitation is 12-14 years of age and
the vast majority (70-90%) were sexually abused prior to being trafficked.21
Despite the fact that all children can be targets, among the most vulnerable victims are:
■ Victims of abuse and neglect22
■ Homeless youth 23
■ Undocumented migrants24
■ Children from impoverished and broken homes25
■ Runaways 26
■ Drug users 27
■ Lack of stability in home 28
■ Mentally -challenged individuals29
According to one study, 30% of shelter minors and 70% of street minors are victims of
commercial sexual exploitation. 30
Lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, questioning (LBGTQ) children are particularly vulnerable to
becoming sex trafficking victims. According to the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the
Administration of Children and Families at US Health and Human Services, LGBTQ youth
19 NPR, "Trafficked Teen Girls Describe Life in the Game", 2010
20 Meredith Dank, et al, "Estimating the Size and Structure of the Underground Commercial Sex Economy in Eight
Major US Cities", March, 2014.
21 Heather Clausen, et al, "Human Trafficking Into and within the United States", 2009
22 Kamala Harris, "The State of Human Trafficking in California", 2012
23 Ibid.
24 Ibid.
25 Heather J. Clawson, Ph.D. and Nicole Dutch, B.A., "Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking", January 20,
2008, part of study for US. Department of Health & Human Services
26 National Human Trafficking Resource Center, https://traffickingresourcecenter.or2/what-human-
trafflcking/human-trafficking/victims
27 H.E.A.T. Watch, Alameda District Attorney's Office, httr)://www.heatwatch.ory/human trafficking
28 Ibid.
29 Ibid.
30 Estes and Weiner, "Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the US, Canada, and Mexico", 2001,
University of Pennsylvania.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 5 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
account for up to 40 percent of the runaway and homeless youth population.31 Once living on the
street, the vulnerability to sex trafficking increases significantly and the National Center for
Missing & Exploited Children reports that most runaways in the US will be approached by sex
traffickers within 48 hours. 32
Methods of Recruitment
Carl Orlando Washington was arrested for pimping a San Rafael girl at a San Jose gambling
event, reported police on May 29, 2016. The suspect met the girl at a bus stop in Richmond and
showed romantic interest in her. According to the Marin IJ, "Then he began cultivating her as a
prostitute, buying her provocative clothing, furnishing her with drugs, and taking her to watch
other prostitutes at work, said San Rafael police Sgt. Scott Eberle." 3
Washington then "took her to the San Jose gambling event to sell sex to men there, telling her
what services to offer and how much to charge. When she failed to earn enough money, the man
had the girl beaten, Eberle said. ,34
Romancing potential victims is just one way pimps recruit their quarry.
Traffickers often identify and play on their victims' vulnerabilities, thus creating a dependent
relationship between victim and trafficker. They utilize a number of ways to recruit their victims.
Traffickers may:
■ Pretend to romance victims, then force or manipulate them into prostitution ("Romeo
pimps") 35
■ Kidnap and beat them into submission until they agree to have sex with strangers. These
"Gorilla pimps" are the most violent and brutal traffickers. 36
■ Lure victims with false promises of a job, such as modeling or dancing. 37
■ Befriend victims, introducing them to drugs and/or alcohol, then force them into
prostitution. 38
■ Send another trafficking victim to recruit others. 39
Romeo pimps are by far the most common. They offer love and support to gain their victim's
trust. Many victims are trafficked out of foster homes. Imagine how easy this must be when a
31 Lonnie James Bean, "LGBTQ Youth at High Risk of Becoming Human Trafficking Victims", June 26, 2013,
httn://www.acf.hhs. eov/blo2/2013/06/12bta-vouth-at-hieh-risk-of-becoming-human-trafficking-victims
32 The National Runaway Switchboard
33 Gary Klien, "Suspect Accused of Pimping Underage Girl", May 30, 2016, Marin IJ
34 Ibid.
35 Michelle Lillie, "How Street Traffickers Recruit Young Girls, Human Trafficking Search, March 17, 2014,
httn: //humantraffickin2search. net/wD/how-street-traffickers-recruit-voune-eirls
36 Ibid.
37 Polaris, Sex Trafficking in the U.S.: A Closer Look at U.S. Citizen Victims, May 2015,
httn://nolarisDroi ect.orp-/resources/sex-trafficking-us-closer-look-us-citizen-victims
38 Michelle Lillie, "How Street Traffickers Recruit Young Girls, Human Trafficking Search, March 17, 2014,
httn: //humantraffickin2search. net/wD/how-street-traffickers-recruit-voun2-eirls
39 Ibid.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 6 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
foster child is unloved by parents, bounced from foster home to foster home and meets a pimp
who shows them the first love and respect they have ever received.
How Exploiters Control Their Victims
Pimps break their victims down psychologically and develop control over them through a
combination of feigned affection, intense manipulation, withholding addictive substances, cruel
violence, and emotional abuse. As a result, victims become trauma -bonded to their traffickers.
They become robbed of free choice. These victims may fear leaving for a number of reasons,
including 40:
■ Emotional attachment to the pimp
■ Fear of physical violence to self and/or children from the pimp
■ Shame
■ Feelings of isolation and low self esteem
■ Drug addiction
■ Psychological trauma as a result of chronic abuse and manipulation.
■ Traffickers often convince victims that they are outside the law and can never seek
protection from the police
Victims are treated as property, with some pimps claiming their ownership by branding them
with tattoos or symbols of the pimp's name. In fact, one hospital discovered an RFID41 chip
embedded in a victim — like she was somebody's pet. 42
Pimps often move their victims from town to town on a circuit. This constant movement through
a region helps them control their victims, while keeping "fresh inventory" available to 'Johns', .43
Role of the Internet in Sex Trafficking
The Internet plays a significant role in both the recruitment of victims and "johns". Traffickers
use online classifieds, social media, and dating websites to contact both. They also may use
postings on social media sites, such as Facebook, to monitor their victims' locations and
activities.
Pimps advertise the sexual services of victims anonymously and cost effectively on websites
such as Backpage.com. In fact, 75% of underage sex trafficking victims said they had been
advertised or sold online. 44 Even "johns" make use of the Internet, employing online forums to
review their experiences and provide information about how to avoid law enforcement detection.
40 Grand jury interviews with law enforcement and social agencies
41 RFID (radio frequency identification) is a technology that incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic
coupling in the radio frequency (RF) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal,
or person.
42 Dan Gorestein, "Healthcare Takes on the Fight Against Trafficking",
httD: //www. marketDIac e. orL/2016/03 /02/health-care/health-c are -take s-fi 2ht-against-trafficking
43 Grand Jury interviews with law enforcement.
44 Thorn, Report on the Use of Technology to Recruit, Groom, and Sell domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Victims",
2015.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 7 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
Helping the Victim Escape
The nature of human sex trafficking presents significant obstacles to those who seek to protect
and assist the victims. As law enforcement receives more training on human sex trafficking and
recognizes that they are victims rather than criminals, many agencies have stopped arresting
them. Instead, law enforcement seeks to identify them, help them, and refer them to social
services, as well as arrest their exploiters.
However, often these victims don't cooperate. They may:
■ Be experiencing an emotional attachment to a captor formed as a result of continuous
stress, dependence, and a need to cooperate for survival.
■ Be afraid and intimidated by the traffickers
■ Be unaware of their rights and might not consider themselves victims
■ Have language barriers
■ Fear deportation
■ Distrust outsiders, particularly law enforcement
■ Be isolated due to repeated moves from location to location and kept away from others -
repeatedly moved to different locations
Thus, the job of helping victims and gaining testimony against the trafficker is very difficult.
Police especially need to be aware of the link between human sex trafficking and domestic
violence. A call to a domestic violence situation may be represented as a fight between intimates,
when, in fact a pimp is beating his victim.
Treating the Victim
Once victims have escaped their exploiters, victims often require comprehensive services,
starting with immediate safety, health and shelter needs. Physical medical needs may include
treatment for injuries from beatings, STDs, or substance abuse. Victims' mental health needs
may include specialized counseling and recovery services. Additional help can include legal
services, witness protection, interpreters, education, and life skills training.
Finding shelter for minor victims is more complex than for adults. Since many jurisdictions no
longer arrest minors for prostitution, emergency shelter may not be available during police
detention and minors are released, having no place to go except to their exploiters. For longer-
term victim shelters, foster homes are deemed far more effective than most group homes. In
group homes, girls are at risk of being recruited back into prostitution by other girls in the
facility. Ideally, foster parents should be certified in dealing with a traumatized child and some
experts believe only one child should reside in a foster home if that child is a victim. 45
Victim advocates and Health and Human Services professionals say foster homes should be
culturally competent — African-Americans should be placed with African-Americans, Native
Americans with Native Americans, where possible. LBGTQ children need specially tailored
services.46
Importantly, human sex trafficking victims, both minors and adults, are often severely
traumatized and require both immediate and long-term intensive trauma -informed treatment.
These services are often in short supply, especially bi-lingual ones.
45 Interviews with victim advocates and Marin Health & Human Services.
46 Interviews with victim advocates and Marin Health & Human Services.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 8 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
METHODOLOGY
The Grand Jury interviewed representatives from the following entities:
■ Alameda District Attorney's office
■ Belvedere Police Department
■ Center for Domestic Peace
■ Central Marin Police Authority
■ Community Violence Solutions
■ Fairfax Police Department
■ FBI
■ Marin County Children & Family Services
■ Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking
■ Marin County District Attorney's office
■ Marin County Probation Department
■ Marin County Public Defender's office
■ Marin County Sheriff's Office
■ Mill Valley Police Department
■ Novato Police Department
■ Oakland Vice Squad Unit
■ Ross Police Department
■ San Anselmo Police Department
■ San Rafael Police Department
■ Sausalito Police Department
■ Tiburon Police Department
■ West Marin Advocacy
The Grand Jury conducted a survey with the following Marin fire departments:
■ Bolinas Fire Department
■ Corte Madera Fire Department
■ CSA #31 (Marin County Fire Department)
■ Kentfield Fire Department
■ Larkspur Fire Department
■ Marinwood Fire Department
■ Mill Valley Fire Department
■ Novato Fire Department
■ Ross Valley Fire Department
■ San Rafael Fire Department
■ Southern Marin Fire Department
■ Tiburon Fire Department
The Grand Jury attended the following presentations on Human Trafficking:
■ First 5 Marin Children & Families Commission workshop on "Youth Safety: Human
Trafficking in Marin", November 9, 2015
■ Marin Child Abuse Prevention Council Presentation by Shared Hope International,
January 21, 2016
The Grand Jury conducted online research and reviewed documents listed in the Bibliography.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 9 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
DISCUSSION
The Prevalence of Human Sex Trafficking in Marin
DeAnna Schlau from Community Violence Solutions, a nonprofit organization that helps victims
of trafficking is reported to have stated that "Marin has had an attitude for a long time that it
doesn't really happen here and we're just getting on board with the fact that it really does happen
here."47
Human sex trafficking is hidden, but thriving in Marin because it is: 48
■ Next door to San Francisco, one of the nation's top hubs for human sex trafficking,
making it an easy stop on the "circuit" of victims transported around the Bay area and
region.
■ Home to many wealthy "johns" able to pay with cash, thus enabling traffickers to charge
more.
■ Geographically desirable to traffickers since it is near a major highway (101).
Some Marin gangs have incorporated sex trafficking in their criminal repertoire, though,
according to Marin law enforcement, not to the same degree as in San Francisco and the East
Bay where gang involvement in sex trafficking is rampant.
Traffickers move their victims on a circuit around the Bay Area and the region. Pimps, including
those from Oakland, Vallejo, Sacramento, and San Francisco, bring victims to Marin because of
demand. According to the Marin IJ, "Around the bay, there's a quiet group of captives — mostly
12- to 17 -year old girls — who are living a revolving -door existence. They're swapped to a
handful of Bay Area brothels every few weeks as the victims of human trafficking, Marin
officials say. ,49
"These girls stay about two weeks in every brothel, and then they're changed to a different city",
said Rosie Alvarez, deputy probation officer. 50
Comprehensive statistics on human trafficking in Marin are hard to come by, just as they are
nationally. First, the hidden nature of the crime makes it difficult to pursue cases.
Second, the crime itself is under -reported because Marin has no comprehensive database for
human trafficking. Common categories and shared definitions do not exist. Potential cases of
human trafficking are often investigated and prosecuted under related offenses such as pimping,
pandering, and prostitution, rather than trafficking, as specified under the California Penal Code
§236.1.51
47 Danielle Chemtob, "Mann's Hidden Trafficking Industry", October 20, 2015,
httn: //redwoodbark. orp-/2015/04/isolation-fear-manivulation-marins-hidden-human-trafficking-industry/
48 Grand Jury interviews with law enforcement
49 Stephanie Weldy, "San Rafael Forum Highlights Wide Devastation of Human Trafficking, Marin IJ, November
11, 2015.
50 Stephanie Weldy, "San Rafael Forum Highlights Wide Devastation of Human Trafficking, Marin IJ, November
11, 2015.
51 Kamala Harris, "The State of Human Trafficking in California", 2012
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 10 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
San Francisco has a robust system for collecting human trafficking data.52 Not only have they
created a common definition for all organizations to use, but they compile data from 19
organizations that deal with human trafficking: law enforcement agencies, other government
agencies (e.g. Health & Human Services), and victim advocate and other community-based
organizations.
The Board of Supervisors should consider providing resources to the Marin County Coalition to
End Human Trafficking to collect and analyze this data. Another option might be using the
newly approved health clinic data hub to compile this information once it's launched.53 Pimps,
'Johns", and locations should be included.
Lastly, Marin County lacks the resources needed to pursue more cases. Investigations into
human trafficking cases are labor intensive as they involve highly detailed forensics around
social media, the Internet, and cell phones. Thousands of messages and postings must be
reviewed and code words deciphered. This hard evidence is particularly important as many
potential victim witnesses fail to testify because they fear for their lives.
Unlike San Francisco and Alameda County, Marin does not have a formal law enforcement
human trafficking task force and has limited resources devoted to human trafficking. Without the
means to fully pursue traffickers and conduct forensics, the number of prosecution cases is low.
Despite the lack of firm statistics, two major Marin County anti -trafficking efforts address the
scope of the problem:
■ The Marin Countv Uniform Law Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking: On April
9, 2015, the Marin District Attorney's office released protocols to ensure that Marin
County law enforcement agencies consistently identify the unique dynamics of human
trafficking to serve victims and effectively respond to and investigate cases based on the
best recommended practices. Police chiefs of all Marin cities and towns approved the
protocols .54
■ Marin Countv Coalition to End Human Trafficking: A partnership was formed in 2014
by various agencies, nonprofits, civic groups, county government and law enforcement
with a goal to educate the community and stop human trafficking in Marin County. This
coalition is co-chaired by the Marin District Attorney and a victim advocate from
Community Violence Solutions. 55
The Grand Jury lauds the Marin District Attorney's Office for both creating the protocols and its
major role in creating the coalition. Officers working on sex trafficking cases report that the
protocols seem to be complete and that the DA's office is very responsive.
52 Mayor's Task Force On Anti -Human Trafficking, "Human Trafficking Report in San Francisco in 2015", August
2015.
53 Richard Halstead, "Marin Supervisors Authorize Funds for Health Clinic Data Hub", May 29, 2016, Marin IJ
54TheMarin County Uniform Law Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking, April 9, 2015
55 Grand Jury interviews
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 11 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
Who Are the Victims in Marin?
Marin law enforcement notes that sex trafficking victims in Marin represent all socioeconomic
groups; include domestic and international victims; are comprised of Marin residents and non-
residents; and include minor victims.
Wide socioeconomic spectrum: According to the Marin IJ, deputy probation officer Rosie
Alvarez said, "We've seen cases in Novato and in affluent communities in San Rafael — it's
across the board. ,56 Children in higher income bracket families are vulnerable as they often
spend more time alone and generally live in households with fewer family members. As a result,
access to unmonitored computer use often increases, bringing with it the risk of unsafe
communications.57
Domestic and international victims: Sex trafficking victims range from refugees smuggled into
the country to US or local girls from highly educated two parent families. According to the
Marin IJ, "Refugees often from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala are seeking
more opportunity in the country are also often preyed upon," said Tom Wilson, Executive
Director of Canal Alliance.
Marin residents and non-residents: According to (former) Marin County Deputy District
Attorney Chuck Cacciatore, "Generally we are seeing Marin residents who are human trafficking
victims, but we also see victims from out of the area. Pimps have sex workers on a circuit."58
Marin County Deputy District Attorney Nicole Pantaleo points out about half of the victims with
whom she works are from Marin County. 59
Minor and adult victims: According to a report from Community Violence Solutions, a victim
advocate nonprofit, approximately one third of the victims it aided in Marin between March
2015 and March 2016 were under the age of 18.60 An article in The Redwood Bark pointed out
that in 2014 West Marin Advocacy, another victim advocate nonprofit, worked with 30 survivors
of sex or labor trafficking. Again, one third were under the age of 18 and some were high school
students from Tam High and Novato. 61
Where Are The Victims in Marin?
According to County law enforcement interviewed, human sex trafficking is most often found in
San Rafael, Novato and Marin City. It takes place in almost all, if not all Marin hotels, including
some of the more respected chains. Hotels and motels are the most common venues since they
56 Stephanie Weldy, "San Rafael Forum Highlights Wide Devastation of Human Trafficking, Marin IJ, November
11, 2015.
57 Emily Dominique Sims, "Law Enforcement and Social Service Responses To Human Trafficking in Marin
County, October 17, 2014, Sonoma State University
58 Derek Wilson, "Authorities Hit Brakes on Human Trafficking", January 14, 2015, Marinscope Newspapers,
http: //www. marinscope. com/news_pointer/news/authorities-hit-brakes-on-human-trafficking/article_fa439662-
9c32-11 e4-a6da-2f35f8589b4 Lhtml
59 Danielle Chemtob, "Marin's Hidden Trafficking Industry", October 20, 2015, www.redwoodbark.ore
60 Report to Soroptimist International of Marin from Community Violence Solutions outlining results of
Soroptimist's grant of $25,000 to aid victims of human trafficking.
61 Danielle Chemtob, "Marin's Hidden Trafficking Industry", October 20, 2015, www.redwoodbark.ore
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 12 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
provide confidentiality for the "john". "Johns" can enter and exit these buildings without it being
obvious they are there seeking sex. Sex trafficking victims can also be found in Marin massage
parlors.
Within San Rafael's Canal district, human sex trafficking is common, and few residents of San
Rafael are aware of it. The Canal has a large population of migratory and often seasonal workers
who have cash on hand. The availability of cash, paired with a large male population, has lured
traffickers to set up apartments in the Canal where young girls are trafficked.62
One law enforcement official told the Grand Jury that prostitutes in the hotels make $200 per
encounter and the ones in the Canal area make $40-$60. He said both types make the same
amount of money in a night — it's just that the Canal prostitutes must work harder.
How Marin Law Enforcement Finds and Prosecutes Traffickers
Unlike some large metropolitan areas, Marin does not have a law enforcement task force
focusing full-time on human trafficking. Instead, an informal part-time Human Trafficking Task
Force has coalesced, consisting of a Street Crimes Unit officer from San Rafael, two County
Sheriff's deputies, and a probation officer. Members of this ad hoc task force, passionate about
human trafficking, conduct investigations as a "collateral" assignment to regular duty and
sometimes volunteer their time while off duty. When regular patrols happen upon a potential
human trafficking case, they refer the case to the task force for investigation.
Marin's Human Trafficking Task Force often works with other law enforcement agencies, such
as the FBI, and multiple county police departments in conducting stings. "Operation Cross
Country", an on-going series of stings led by the FBI and Marin's task force, is frequently
conducted in our county in concert with Central Marin and Novato police departments, as well as
the Sheriff's Office and Probation Department. The goal of these stings is to help victims escape
their captors and arrest traffickers and 'Johns". 63
Several Marin agencies are also members of a regional task force, which consists of the FBI,
Homeland Security, the California Department of Justice, as well as sheriff's offices, district
attorneys, probation departments, and police departments of over 25 jurisdictions within the Bay
Area. 64 Collaboration among these agencies is critical due to the nature of the circulation of
human sex trafficking victims around the region. The task force meets once a month to share
information.
Investigating and prosecuting cases can be difficult. According to Marin County Deputy District
Attorney Chuck Caccatiatore, "We find people who are victims and don't even realize it. I once
investigated what was reported as a domestic violence case, but was really sex trafficking. "65
62 Sierra Marie Tomsky, "Human Trafficking and Sexual Slavery: A Local Epidemic", May 2014, Dominican
University of California httr)://scholar.dominican.edu/cQi/viewcontent.cRi?article=1017&context=senior-theses
63 Grand Jury interviews with law enforcement.
64 San Rafael Police Department, Marin Sheriff's Office, Novato Police Department, Marin District Attorney's
Office, Marin Probation,
65 Derek Wilson, "Authorities Hit Brakes on Human Trafficking", January 14, 2015, Marinscope Newspapers,
httr)://www.marinscone.com/news pointer/news/authorities-hit-brakes-on-human-traffickini/article fa439662-
962-11 e4-a6da-2f35f8589b41.html
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 13 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
"Almost 100 percent of the time, they are always going to say that they are independent, they're
not victims, they're doing this out of their own free will," Eberle said. "These girls have been
brainwashed. ,66 He also told the Redwood Bark, "Another major challenge in prosecuting
trafficking cases is getting victims to testify against traffickers. Once you even get past that
hump of convincing the victim that we are there to help them out, it's scary to testify in court, to
give a statement, to know that you are `snitching' on someone who has a gun."67
Hence, there's a need for dedicated resources to conduct time intensive investigations to prove
exploitation with or without the victim's cooperation. Law enforcement must review thousands
of messages on cell phones, in social media, and other modes of communication. Bank
statements must be analyzed and code words must be deciphered.
Though the Grand Jury lauds the work of Marin's informal Human Trafficking Task Force, the
task force currently does not have adequate means to pursue more than just a few cases. It's a
chicken and egg dilemma ... the number of documented cases is not high due to lack of a
dedicated resources; but, support for providing more resources is not shared by all Marin law
enforcement because of the lower numbers of cases. 68
Although quantifiable results are not available for established task forces in other jurisdictions,
the Grand Jury believes one solution to documenting more cases and increasing prosecutions
would be the creation of a dedicated full-time human trafficking task force. This would enable
law enforcement to conduct the time intensive forensics necessary to get more convictions;
document the extent of the problem in Marin; and provide the focus that is currently lacking to a
very important problem — both publicly and among Marin law enforcement.
A task force might also enable Marin to gain government grants for combating human
trafficking. Such a task force might be partially financed from asset forfeitures of real estate,
automobiles, cash, and jewelry, just as Marin's Major Crimes Task Force is currently supported.
However, there is widespread disagreement about the need for this task force in Marin. The
Grand Jury interviewed over 35 key law enforcement officers, victim advocates, DAs, and other
key players in combating human trafficking. About half agreed Marin should devote specialized
resources to this crime and half disagreed.
Those who believed a dedicated human trafficking task force should not be created cited a
number of reasons:
All Marin law enforcement agencies would need to form a Joint Powers Agreement
(JPA) to provide the funds or manpower needed for the task force. A JPA can be difficult
to maintain as resources for agencies, especially small town police forces, can be scarce.
In fact, the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force, created as a JPA in 1977, has
experienced periodic withdrawals and additions of various towns and cities in the
partnership. A number of Marin's towns believe human trafficking is not a problem for
their jurisdictions and, hence, may not choose to devote resources to the crime. They
66 Danielle Chemtob, "Marin's Hidden Trafficking Industry", October 20, 2015, www.redwoodbark.ore
67 Ibid
68 Grand Jury interviews with law enforcement agencies and district attorneys
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 14 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
believe it's a problem for San Rafael and Novato to solve. Creating and maintaining a
JPA may prove challenging.
2. Should such a JPA be feasible, some pointed out that this would reduce manpower
devoted to other tasks and crimes, such as patrolling for burglaries and they could not
support this trade-off.
3. Some will not support a task force unless they can see clear documentation of cases. As
mentioned previously, this is not possible without dedicated resources.
4. A few felt that there was no need for local anti-human trafficking efforts as the crime is
transient. They believe a regional approach to be more prudent as victims are constantly
being cycled through various Bay Area locales, including Marin.
The Grand Jury considered recommending the creation of a dedicated human trafficking task
force and believes the number of documented cases would increase dramatically should such a
team be formed. Other counties in the Bay Area, such as Alameda and San Francisco, have had
such success with their task forces. However, we are not recommending this step at this time as
citizen awareness is low and, hence, the political will to fund a task force is low.
As Marin citizen awareness of the prevalence and horror of human trafficking increases and
more precise data is captured, Marin should consider creating a formal dedicated full-time or
part-time human trafficking task force.
In conclusion, human sex trafficking may be most prevalent in San Rafael, Novato and Marin
City, but "johns" come from all parts of Marin. 69 It exists everywhere. Marin should come
together to see human sex trafficking as a problem for the entire county to solve.
Training Law Enforcement in Human Trafficking
In November 2012, voters passed Proposition 35, that requires a minimum of two hours of
training in handling complaints of human trafficking for every law enforcement officer assigned
to field or investigative duties. This training is often delivered via a two-hour Police Officer
Standards and Training (POST) video. Training among Marin agencies at this time seems
inconsistent and possibly not conforming with the law as not all law enforcement agency heads
could confirm this training of their officers and/or which officers had received it.
In April 2015 the Marin District Attorney released the Marin County Uniform Law Enforcement
Protocol for Human Trafficking, which was signed by each Marin police chief. All law
enforcement should be trained in using these protocols. The Grand Jury interviewed
representatives from all Marin County law enforcement agencies, including every police chief
and the County Sheriff, and found that their officers have not been consistently trained in these
protocols.
69 Grand Jury interviews with law enforcement.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 15 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
According to the protocols70, the goals of the training are to inform officers of:
■ Human trafficking laws
■ Marin County trafficking protocols
■ The department's human trafficking policy and procedures
■ The signs and dynamics of human trafficking and its effects on victims
■ Therapeutically appropriate investigative techniques
■ District Attorney policies
■ Victim advocacy organizations working in their jurisdictions and resources available
■ Policy and procedures of other state and federal organizations collaborating with the
department
■ Human trafficking issues specific to various cultures and lifestyles
■ Civil and immigration remedies and community resources
■ Protection of victims
Unfortunately, our interviews revealed that some officers still believe that human sex trafficking
victims are criminals and act accordingly. Additionally, many of our respondents pointed out that
awareness of the victimhood and dynamics of human sex trafficking among law enforcement is
similar to that of domestic violence situations thirty years ago, when it was not taken seriously
nor prosecuted vigorously, and victim blaming was rampant.
Most of our law enforcement and victim advocate respondents who work frequently with Marin
sex trafficking cases feel that more training is needed among the rank and file. Some Marin law
enforcement officers not working with human trafficking cases feel the current state of training is
adequate.'
The Grand Jury recommends a multidisciplinary group to train law enforcement. This group
might consist of Child and Family Services, a DA, victim's advocate, law enforcement human
trafficking specialists, etc. This approach enables the group to better understand each other's
roles and facilitate a seamless approach to trafficking.
How Marin Aids Its Victims
Before the county started recognizing that "prostitutes" were very often "victims" of trafficking,
almost all sex trafficking victims were arrested for prostitution. Today, Marin officers do not
arrest individuals they perceive to be trafficking victims. After stings occur in Marin, young
victims are detained and offered a number of resources to help them get their lives back on track,
including shelter and counseling. However, they often choose to go back to their life with their
exploiter out of fear for their lives.
According to Marin law enforcement and victim advocates, it takes a number of contacts with
the trafficking victim to move her (it is usually, but not always a she) on to recovery. Once the
victim makes that move, she likely needs therapy immediately (and in the long-term) because
most are found to be severely traumatized. Ideally, everyone in relevant social service agencies
and law enforcement should be trained in a trauma -informed approach to deal with victims. In
Marin some have received this training and others have not.
70 Marin County Uniform Law Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking, April 2015
71 Grand Jury interviews with all police chiefs and some officers, the County Sheriffs office, and victim advocates.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 16 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
In addition, Marin County and victim advocate groups do not fund enough therapists to meet
victim needs. And few, if any, are bilingual. And, at the "Youth Safety/Human Trafficking in
Marin" workshop, November 2015, Laurel Freeman from the Center for Domestic Peace,
pointed out that these victims often receive the services of the least experienced therapists —
intems.
Marin County's Children & Family Services (CFS) take charge of minor victims, providing
emergency care for all victims and long-term care for Marin residents. Foster homes are the
shelter of choice, but unfortunately, Marin has a severe shortage of foster care and victims are
often placed outside of Marin. This shortage will only grow worse as an administrative bill,
California AB 403: "Foster Youth: Continuum of Care Reform", is pro�osing the elimination of
many long-term group homes, shifting more children to foster homes. Counties will be charged
with recruiting a large number of foster homes quickly and some fear the quality of homes
recruited may decline to meet their goals. Compounding the shortage of foster homes for sex
trafficking victims is the fact that many foster parents fear serving this population. 73
Marin County's CFS received a grant from the state and recently developed comprehensive
interagency protocols for helping Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC), providing
a seamless multi -disciplinary approach helping to eliminate duplication and fragmentation of
services. These protocols were completed in February 2016 and CFS is currently in the process
of implementing them.
Several nonprofits aid adult victims in Marin, including:
■ Community Violence Solutions (CVS): a crisis intervention agency, providing victims of
sexual or labor exploitation support, referral, and services in Contra Costa and Marin.
Marin law enforcement, the FBI and social agencies often work with CVS, referring
victims to the organization. 74
■ West Marin Advocacv: Serves San Geronimo Valley, Nicasio and Coastal Marin,
providing assistance to sexual trafficking victims. Programs include court
accompaniment, referrals to social service and legal service organizations, and expert
training to nonprofit, governmental, and law enforcement. 75
■ Center for Domestic Peace: provides holistic services to sex trafficking victims,
including shelter, life skills, counseling, safety planning, legal services and more. 76
72 httos://Ieizinfo.legislature.ca.2ov/faces/bilINavClient.xhtml?bill id=201520160AB403
73 Grand jury interviews
74 httn://www.cvsolutions.org
75 htto://westmarinadvocacv.ore
76 htto://www.centerfordomesticneace.or,2
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 17 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
Outreach to Victims and the Public
Two populations must be reached via communications campaigns:
■ Victims of human sex trafficking, who need information on how to get help.
■ The public, which needs to understand the problem and be educated in how to identity
trafficking and whom they should contact.
A number of organizations are conducting or have conducted outreach to both victims and the
public, including:
■ Center for Domestic Peace
■ Community Violence Solutions
■ League of Women Voters
■ Marin Organizing Committee
■ Shared Hope International
■ Soroptomist International of Marin
■ West Marin Advocacy
Communication media typically include presentations to groups, billboards, posters, leaflets,
websites, and bus advertising, depending on who is being targeted to receive the information.
Some of the aforementioned groups pay particular attention to high-risk areas such as Canal
Street because of the trafficking activity there. Spanish language communications are critical in
this area.
Despite the number of enthusiastic and well-regarded groups conducting outreach, their budgets
are small and resources are too scarce to create the awareness and education needed, particularly
in educating the public. Additionally, with seven or more organizations trying to get the word
out, communications can be fragmented and possibly contradictory.
The Grand Jury believes customized education campaigns on recognizing the signs of trafficking
and reporting it should be provided to a number of different groups, including, but not limited to:
■ Students who need to recognize trafficking when it happens to a friend and understand
how anyone can be recruited and endangered in social media.
■ Parents and teachers who can monitor and help youth.
■ Healthcare professionals who have special access to patients.
■ EMT and other emergency services who have access to environments closed to law
enforcement.
■ Hospitality industry staff at lodgings who are exposed to trafficking as much of this
crime takes place at hotels and motels in Marin.
■ Golden Gate transit and Marin Transit staff, especially bus drivers, who come in contact
with victims.
Education is particularly important for students, parents, and teachers. With the average age of
recruitment being 12-14 (middle school age), a student who has received education can perhaps
keep a friend from falling for a false pitch from a Romeo pimp, a parent can monitor their child's
social media activities, and teachers can report suspicious activities.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 18 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
The Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) has hosted a number of educational efforts for
various school officials and the public, sponsored by community partners such as the Center for
Missing and Exploited Children, the FBI, Voces de Marin, the Center for Domestic Peace, the
Marin Organizing Committee, the Marin Child Abuse Prevention Council and more. Some
efforts at the local middle school and high school levels have been implemented, though there is
no evidence of a consistent systemic county -wide program to ensure education of students,
teachers, and parents.
The most effective way to provide this school training might be through the Marin County
School/Law Enforcement Partnership, a collaboration of schools, law enforcement and
community agencies. Their goal is to encourage and support a countywide effort to keep Marin
schools and communities as safe and healthy environments for all students and families.
Outreach to these audiences is critical and free resources are available online. For example, the
National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) has a number of tools for training and
public outreach campaigns. According to this group, when a public outreach campaign is
launched, NHTRC hotline sees a 30-60% increase in calls. 77
Neighboring Alameda County has produced a number of campaigns and the Grand Jury
recommends that the Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking use them where
possible. In fact, the Alameda DA's office held Oakland focus groups with victims to learn to
speak their language and craft the most effective appeals in their campaigns.
The Role of The Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking
The Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking (The Coalition) is a partnership of
numerous social agencies, county government, civic groups, nonprofits and law enforcement
agencies, with the goal of ending human trafficking via education, outreach, and advocacy. This
coalition resides under the auspices of the Marin County DA office, co-chaired by the Marin
District Attorney and a victim advocate from Community Violence Solutions.
The Coalition was formed in 2014 to create a forum and to harness the resources of numerous
agencies to achieve the group's goals. The coalition is not meant to replace the activities of its
members, but to provide a platform for synergies around each organization's work. Outreach is
one of the major functions of the organization and its objective is to reach the following
audiences:
■ Potential and actual victims to warn them and tell them how to get help.
■ Potential and actual victim's family and friends to alert them on how to recognize the
signs of trafficking and what to do.
■ General public to increase awareness of the crime and its victims.
The Grand Jury applauds the DA office and others who founded this coalition.
The group meets approximately every three months and most participants are essentially
volunteers, having full-time jobs — so most of the work is performed outside their normal jobs.
There is no dedicated staff. Little funding is provided, although recently The Coalition received
77 htto://www.traffickin2rresourecenter.or2
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 19 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
$5,000 from the Board of Supervisors Community Fund (0.001 % of County budget) to create a
website.
While many coalition members believe the organization is making strong progress, some
members feel the group is moving too slowly, is too fragmented, is too unwieldy, and
committees aren't communicating well. Although the Grand Jury believes that The Coalition is
moving as quickly as it can, it believes that much better progress can be made with dedicated
resources, such as a full or part-time position handling outreach and coordination. The Coalition
might be able to qualify for a grant for a dedicated position, as did the South Bay Coalition to
End Human Trafficking.78
Additionally, our Marin coalition might consider filing for nonprofit status so that they can
conduct fundraising to strengthen their resources.
Training for Healthcare Professionals and EMS First Responders
According to a 2014 Loyola University Chicago School of Law Report, 88% of domestic human
trafficking victims reported having contact with a healthcare professional while being trafficked,
and these professionals are often the only ones to interact with them while in captivity. 79 These
interactions were especially common for survivors who caught STD's, became pregnant while in
their trafficking situation, or were hospitalized after physical and sexual assault.
In 2012, the California Attorney General's comprehensive report, "The State of Human
Trafficking in California", recommended that First Responders and healthcare professionals be
trained in identifying victims, determining their medical and mental health needs, and providing
access to available resources. 80
A number of hospitals and health systems around the country have launched training programs
for their staff. Some states, including Florida and Michigan, require healthcare workers to
receive some type of human trafficking training as part of their regular licensing process. 81
But according to Dr. Jeff Barrows, director of US training at the anti -trafficking group Hope for
Justice, "...most healthcare providers know little to nothing about trafficking and receive no
training on how to identify and help victims. The vast majority is absolutely clueless. Only a
handful is looking at it seriously."82
All health systems, large and small, need the tools and education to help thwart trafficking.
Though the Grand Jury has no authority to make recommendations to non-governmental Marin
County health systems, it encourages all healthcare venues in Marin to train staff on recognizing
the signs of human trafficking and connecting victims with available services. There are a
78 Grand Jury interviews
79 Laura J Lederer and Christopher A. Wetzel, "The Health Consequences of Sex Trafficking and Their Implications
for Identifying Victims in Healthcare Facilities", 2014,
http: //www.luc. edu/law/centers/healthlaw/annals/archive/volume232014
80 Kamala Harris, "The State of Human Trafficking in California", 2012
81 Maureen McKinney, "Hospitals Train Staff to Spot Victims of Human Trafficking,
Modern Healthcare, June 20, 2015
82 Ibid
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 20 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
number of free online courses tailored specifically for healthcare professionals, especially ER
workers, available from various universities and the National Human Trafficking Resource
Center (NHTRC).83
Correspondingly, firefighters and EMS professionals are in a unique position to encounter,
identify, and report victims of human trafficking. In emergencies, first responders may be given
access to victims and locations inaccessible to law enforcement. It is critical that these
professionals be trained to recognize and report human trafficking. Training these first
responders in scanning the emergency environment for signs of human trafficking and how to
report it could result in more victim rescues and trafficker apprehensions. Training and tools are
available for free online. 84
Although some Marin fire departments have had training in human trafficking, many have not,
and some who have been trained, have not been trained recently. Several departments use Blue
Campaign training provided by the Department of Homeland Security.
Also Learned: Labor Trafficking is Happening in Marin
Marin Law enforcement has focused on sex trafficking because it is the more commonly
identifiable form of human trafficking. However, the Grand Jury found that many law
enforcement officers and victim advocates believe labor trafficking is taking place in Marin as
well. Representatives from two victim advocate organizations interviewed said that they had
received reports of labor trafficking for nursing homes, ranching, and farming, with one citing a
victim rescued from forced labor as a nanny. Both organizations have come to the aid of labor
trafficking victims. However, there are no recent arrests for labor trafficking, likely due to:
■ The far more under -investigated and under -reported nature of labor trafficking (versus
sex trafficking),
■ The higher visibility of sex trafficking,
■ A lack of law enforcement resources to pursue it.
CONCLUSION
Despite the fact that the Bay Area is one of the largest human trafficking markets in the US,
many Marin County citizens have little or no awareness that it exists in our community. Though
trafficking victims bear the brunt of the human costs of being trafficked, the community must
bear immense social costs, such as truancy, homelessness, the rising need for medical and mental
health services, and expanding law enforcement efforts.
It is time for Marin to wake up and recognize the prevalence of human trafficking in our
communities. The Grand Jury urges the County and its cities and towns to devote more resources
to combating this scourge, rescuing its victims, and helping these victims return to society.
83 National Human Trafficking Resources Center: https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/material-type/online-
trainings
84 www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/awareness-training
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 21 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
FINDINGS
F1. Human sex trafficking is mostly unrecognized, under -reported, and rarely subject to
intervention in Marin.
F2. A significant number of human sex trafficking victims are from Marin, not just transients
imported from other areas.
F3. Reports from two Marin County victim advocate organizations show that approximately
30% of the victims they aid are under the age of 18.
F4. Some Marin County law enforcement officers still believe some human trafficking victims
are criminals.
F5. State law mandates that officers receive two hours of training on human trafficking and
some Marin agencies may not be complying with this law.
F6. Training of Marin County law enforcement on the Marin County Uniform Law
Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking has been inconsistent across agencies.
F7. Law enforcement officers and others who are closest to human trafficking believe the
California mandated two-hour POST training video on human trafficking is not sufficient.
F8. Marin law enforcement agencies rarely use multidisciplinary training, incorporating
collaboration between Children Family Services (CFS), the District Attorney, law
enforcement experts, and possibly victims.
F9. Training for firefighters and EMS professionals in recognizing human trafficking victims
and reporting the crime is inconsistent in Marin.
F10. It is difficult to determine the extent of human trafficking in Marin because of inconsistent
classification and definitions of the crime, as well as the lack of a central clearinghouse for
this data.
F11. The Marin County school districts do not provide education on a systematic basis for
students, parents and teachers in recognizing signs of human trafficking.
F12. Human trafficking outreach has been fragmented and is currently insufficient in reaching
critical audiences.
F13. The Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking Coalition needs dedicated
resources to make it more effective.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 22 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
RECOMMENDATIONS
R1. All law enforcement officers should be consistently trained in the Marin County Uniform
Law Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking.
R2. All Marin law enforcement agency heads should ensure their officers receive the California
mandated two hour human trafficking training.
R3. The Board of Supervisors should convene a local group of human trafficking experts
(including CFS, law enforcement subject experts, FBI, victim advocates, DA's, and
perhaps a victim) to create a multidisciplinary training presentation. This training should
include the unique roles of all County personnel, resources, and processes in addressing
human trafficking. Additional resources will be needed to support this training as none are
devoted to this task now. This training should include information on the trafficking of
females and males, as well as LGBTQ.
R4. Once this multi -disciplinary training package is completed, Marin County law enforcement
agencies should ensure that all Marin law enforcement officers be trained.
R5. Marin County fire departments should ensure that all EMS personnel are trained in
recognizing human trafficking and how to report it, and incorporate this in their annual
training.
R6. The Board of Supervisors should fund the creation of a database that systematically tracks
adult and minor victims, using consistent classification and shared definitions to properly
identify the victim and the crime, as well as document its prevalence. Data should be
gathered from any organization dealing with trafficking victims, including law enforcement
agencies, government agencies (e.g. Marin County Health & Human Services), civic
organizations, and victim advocate organizations.
R7. Marin County Office of Education should work with the Marin County School/Law
Enforcement Partnership to develop educational programs to ensure that students, parents,
and teachers are trained in recognizing the signs of human trafficking and where they can
find help.
R8. The Board of Supervisors should provide the Marin County Human Trafficking Coalition
resources necessary to expand community outreach to schools, faith communities and the
public. The Coalition should explore a grant for a dedicated position that supports coalition
logistics and outreach campaigns.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 23 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
REQUEST FOR RESPONSES
Pursuant to Penal code section 933.05, the Grand Jury requests responses as follows:
From the following governing bodies:
■ Bolinas Fire Protection District: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Bolinas-Stinson Union School District: F 1-F 13, R7
■ Central Marin Police Authority: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ City of Belvedere: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ City of Larkspur: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ City of Mill Valley: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ City of Novato: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ City of San Rafael: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ City of Sausalito: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ CSA #28 (West Marin Paramedic): F1 -F13, R5
■ CSA #31 (County Fire): F1 -F13, R5
■ Dixie School District: F1 -F13, R7
■ Kentfield Fire Protection District: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Kentfield School District: F 1-F 13, R7
■ Lagunitas School District: F 1-F 13, R7
■ Larkspur -Corte Madera School District: F 1-F 13, R7
■ Marin County Board of Supervisors: F1 -F13, R1- R8
■ Marin County Office of Education: F 1-F 13, R7
■ Marinwood Community Service District: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Mill Valley School District: F 1-F 13, R7
■ Nicasio School District: F 1-F 13, R7
■ Novato Fire Protection District: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Novato Unified School District: F1 -F13, R7
■ Reed Union School District: F1 -F13, R7
■ Ross School District: F1 -F13, R7
■ Ross Valley Fire Department: F1 -F13, R5
■ Ross Valley School District: F1 -F13, R7
■ San Rafael School District: F 1-F 13, R7
■ Sausalito Marin City School District: F1 -F13, R7
■ Shoreline Unified School District: F1 -F13, R7
■ Southern Marin Emergency Medical -Paramedic System: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Southern Marin Fire Protection District: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Stinson Beach Fire Protection District: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Tamalpais Union High School District: F2 -F23, R7
■ Tiburon Fire Protection District: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Town of Corte Madera: F 1-F 13, R1 -R7
■ Town of Fairfax: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ Town of Ross: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ Town of San Anselmo: F1 -F13, R1 -R7
■ Town of Tiburon: F 1-F 13, R1 -R7
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 24 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
The governing bodies indicated above should be aware the comment or response of the
governing body must be conducted in accordance with Penal Code section 933(c) and subject to
the notice, agenda, and open meeting requirements of the Brown Act.
From the following individuals:
■ The Marin County Sheriff. F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ The District Attorney: F 1-F 13, R 1-R4, R6, R8
■ Marin County Superintendent of Schools: F1 -F13, R7
The Grand Jury invites the following individuals to respond:
■ Police Chief, Belvedere Police Department: F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ Police Chief, Central Marin Police: F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ Fire Chief, Corte Madera Fire Department: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Police Chief, Fairfax Police Department: F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ President, Falcon Critical Care Transport: F 1-F 13, R5
■ President, Falck/verihealth, Inc.: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Fire Chief, Larkspur Fire Department: F 1-F 13, R5
■ President, Marin County Fire Chiefs Association: F 1-F 13, R5
■ President, Marin County Police Chiefs Association: F 1-F 13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ Fire Chief, Mill Valley Fire Department: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Police Chief, Mill Valley Police Department: F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ Chief Executive Officer, NORCAL Ambulance: F 1-F 13, R5
■ Police Chief, Novato Police Department: F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ Police Chief, Ross Police Department: F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ Fire Chief, San Rafael Fire Department: F1 -F13, R5
■ Police Chief, San Rafael Police Department: F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ Police Chief, Sausalito Police Department: F1 -F13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
■ President, St. Joseph's Ambulance Service: F1 -F13, R5
■ Police Chief, Tiburon Police Department: F 1-F 13, R1 -R4, R6 -R7
At the time of publication of this report all website information was accurate as published.
Reports issued by the Civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code Section 929 requires
that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person
who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury. The California State Legislature has stated that it intends the
provisions of Penal Code Section 929 prohibiting disclosure of witness identities to encourage full candor in
testimony in Grand Jury investigations by protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those who participate in
any Civil Grand Jury investigation.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 25 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Government Documents
Marin County DA, "Marin County Uniform Law Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking",
April 9, 2015.
Kamala Harris, "The State of Human Trafficking in California", 2012
Child Welfare Council CSEC Action Team, "Improving California's Multi -System Response to
Commercially Sexually Exploited Children: Resources for Counties", multiple documents 2013-
2016.
AB403 (Stone): Foster Youth: Continuum of Care Reform bill, February 16, 2016.
South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, "South Carolina State Plan to Address Human
Trafficking" June 12, 2014.
California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), "Post Guidelines on
Law Enforcement Response to Human Trafficking, 2014.
Miami -Dade County Grand Jury, "Enslavement of Our Children: Identifying and Combating
Human Sex Trafficking in Our Community", Fall 2012.
Orange County Grand Jury, "Sex Trafficking of Girls", 2012.
Press Release, Office of the District Attorney, Marin County, CA, "Marin County Human
Trafficking Task Force", July 28, 2014.
Mayor's Task Force On Anti -Human Trafficking, "Human Trafficking Report in San Francisco
in 2015", August 2015.
Articles
Dan Gorenstein, "Healthcare Takes on the Fight Against Trafficking", March 2, 2016,
www.marketplace.ory
Nicholas Kristof, "Every Parent's Nightmare", March 10, 2016, The New York Times.
Priscilla Alvarez, "When Sex Trafficking Goes Unnoticed in America", February 23, 2016, The
Atlantic magazine.
Noah Berlatsky, "Child Sex Workers' Biggest Threat: The Police, January 20, 2016, The New
Republic magazine.
Youthlaw.org, "Counties Across California Explore Multi -Agency Responses to CSEC", July
2015 newsletter.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 26 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
Meredith Dank, et al, "Estimating the Size and Structure of the Underground Commercial Sex
Economy in Eight Major US Cities", March, 2014.
Derek Wilson, "Sex Trafficking `Pandemic' Impacts Marin County, Marinscope, September 17,
2014.
Danielle Chemtob, "Marin's Hidden Trafficking Industry", October 20, 2015,
www.redwoodbark.ora
Megan Hansen, "Marin Human Trafficking Task Force Aims to Raise Awareness, Train Law
Enforcement", August 2, 2014, Marin IJ.
Margaret Ballou, "Marin Voice: Human Trafficking is a Local Problem", April 11, 2015, Marin
IJ.
Joanne Williams, "Stuck in Traffic: A Look at Human Trafficking in Marin", January 8, 2015,
Pacific Sun.
Stephanie Powell, "Heroes of Marin: Emily Sims", December 24, 2014, Pacific Sun
Gary Klein, "Trial Ordered for Couple in Pimping Case", August 25, 2015, Marin IJ.
Lisa Fernandez, "Rapper `Mitchy Slick' Arrested on Kidnap, Human Trafficking, Porn Charges,
NBC Bay Area.
Gary Klein, "San Rafael Prostitution Sting Trips 10 Suspected Johns at Hotel", February 4, 2016,
Marin IJ.
John Flynn, "Everyday Prostitutes Caught Up in Human -Trafficking Hysteria Around the Super
Bowl, February 3, 2016, Pacific Sun.
Katy Steinmetz, "Oakland Launches Pimp -Shaming Website", July 2, 2014, Time magazine.
Goldie Taylor, "The Sex -Trafficking Victim Next Door, January 22, 2016, The Daily Beast.
John Meekins, "Human Trafficking Thrives Because Officers Don't Know What It Is", August
5, 2014, In Public Safety, American Military University.
Post Staff, "Human Trafficking a Rising Concern in Marin County", July 10, 2015, The Post
News Group.
Gary Klein, "Novato Man Sentenced to Prison for Pimping Runaway", Marin IJ, March 18,
2016.
Maureen McKinney, "Hospitals Train Staff to Spot Victims of Human Trafficking,
Modern Healthcare, June 20, 2015.
Christopher Gray, Barry Phegan, "San Rafael First -Responders Are Going a Step Further",
Marin IJ, October 25, 2015
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 27 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
Michelle Lillie, "How Street Traffickers Recruit Young Girls, Human Trafficking Search, March
17, 2014, httD://humantraffickinasearch.net/wv/how-street-traffickers-recruit-voun2-girls
Stephanie Weldy, "San Rafael Forum Highlights Wide Devastation of Human Trafficking,
Marin IJ, November 11, 2015.
Laura J Lederer and Christopher A. Wetzel, "The Health Consequences of Sex Trafficking and
Their Implications for Identifying Victims in Healthcare Facilities", 2014,
httn://www.luc. edu/law/centers/healthlaw/annals/archive/volume232014
Thorn, Report on the Use of Technology to Recruit, Groom, and Sell domestic Minor Sex
Trafficking Victims", Texas Christian University 2015.
Hope Gillete, "Disturbing New Report Details Hispanic Role In Sex Traffic", HuffPost Latino
Voices, April 6, 2014.
Elizabeth Pathy Salett, LICSW, "Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery", Human Rights
& International Affairs Practice Update, November 2006,
httn://socialworkers.or�,/diversity/affirmative action/humanTrafficl206.vdf
Derek Wilson, "Authorities Hit Brakes on Human Trafficking", January 14, 2015, Marinscope
Newspapers, httn://www.marinscoDe.com/news pointer/news/authorities-hit-brakes-on-human-
traffickina/article fa439662-9c32-11e4-a6da-2f35f8589b41.htm1
NPR Youth Radio, "Trafficked Teen Girls Describe Life In 'The Game"', December 6, 2006,
htti)://www.ni)r.orv-/2010/12/06/131757019/vouth-radio-trafficked-teen-2irls-describe-life-in-the-
game
Lonnie James Bean, "LGBTQ Youth at High Risk of Becoming Human Trafficking Victims",
June 26, 2013, h"://www.acf.hhs.gov/blo�/2013/06/lgbtq-vouth-at-high-risk-of-becoming-
human-trafficking-victims
Gary Klien, "Suspect Accused of Pimping Underage Girl", May 30, 2016, Marin IJ.
Janis Mara, "Gang Activity `Very Low' in Marin", June 3, 2016, Marin IJ
Richard Halstead, "Marin Supervisors Authorize Funds for Health Clinic Data Hub", May 29,
2016, Marin IJ.
Websites
Center for Domestic Peace: www.centerfordomesticneace.oriz
Community Violence Solutions: www.cvsolutions.or2
National Human Trafficking Resource Center: www.traffickin2resourcecenter.or2
Bay Area Anti -Trafficking Coalition (BAATC): www.baatc.or2
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 28 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
West Marin Advocacy: http//:westmarinadvocacv.orR
Soroptimist International: www.soroptimistintemational.ora
Polaris Project: www.polarisproiect.ora
Blue Campaign, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Education:
www.dhs.2ov/blue-cami)ai2n
Shared Hope International: www.sharedhope.or2
Marin Women's Commission: www.marinwomen.ore/human-trafficking-studv
San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking: www.sfcahtor2
Human Trafficking Search Global Resource & Database: www.humantraffickin2search.net
California Against Slavery: http://califomiaa2ainstslaverv.or2
H.E.A.T. Watch, Alameda District Attorney's Office, www.heatwatch.or2
Marin County Office of Education, School/Law Enforcement Partnership,
www.marinschools. orWS afeSchools/Paaes/S chool-Law-Enforcement-PartnershiD.asDx
�t��cliec
Urban Institute of Justice, submitted to National Institute of Justice, "Identifying Challenges to
Improve the Investigation and Prosecution of State and Local Human Trafficking Cases" April
2012
Richard J. Estes and Neil Alan Weiner, "The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children In the
U. S., Canada and Mexico", University of Pennsylvania, September 19, 2001
College/Graduate Thesis
Sierra Marie Tomsky, "Human Trafficking and Sexual Slavery: A Local Epidemic", May 2014,
Dominican University of California.
http://scholar.dominican.edu/cai/viewcontent.c2i?article=1017&context=senior-theses
Emily Dominique Sims, "Law Enforcement and Social Service Responses To Human
Trafficking in Marin County, October 17, 2014, Sonoma State University.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 29 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
Appendix A: Penal Code Section 236.1 PC
236.1. (a) Any person who deprives or violates the personal liberty of another with the intent to
obtain forced labor or services, is guilty of human trafficking and shall be punished by
imprisonment in the state prison for 5, 8, or 12 years and a fine of not more than five hundred
thousand dollars ($500,000).
(b) Any person who deprives or violates the personal liberty of another with the intent to effect
or maintain a violation of Section 266, 266h, 2661, 266j, 267, 311.1, 311.2, 311.3, 311.4, 311.5,
311.6, or 518 is guilty of human trafficking and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state
prison for 8, 14, or 20 years and a fine of not more than five hundred thousand dollars
($500,000).
(c) Any person who causes, induces, or persuades, or attempts to cause, induce, or persuade, a
person who is a minor at the time of commission of the offense to engage in a commercial sex
act, with the intent to effect or maintain a violation of Section 266, 266h, 2661, 266j, 267, 311.1,
311.2, 311.3, 311.4, 311.5, 311.6, or 518 is guilty of human trafficking. A violation of this
subdivision is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison as follows:
(1) Five, 8, or 12 years and a fine of not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).
(2) Fifteen years to life and a fine of not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)
when the offense involves force, fear, fraud, deceit, coercion, violence, duress, menace, or threat
of unlawful injury to the victim or to another person.
(d) In determining whether a minor was caused, induced, or persuaded to engage in a
commercial sex act, the totality of the circumstances, including the age of the victim, his or her
relationship to the trafficker or agents of the trafficker, and any handicap or disability of the
victim, shall be considered.
(e) Consent by a victim of human trafficking who is a minor at the time of the commission of
the offense is not a defense to a criminal prosecution under this section.
(f) Mistake of fact as to the age of a victim of human trafficking who is a minor at the time of
the commission of the offense is not a defense to a criminal prosecution under this section.
(g) The Legislature finds that the definition of human trafficking in this section is equivalent to
the federal definition of a severe form of trafficking found in Section 7102(8) of Title 22 of the
United States Code.
(h) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Coercion" includes any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that
failure to perform an act would result in serious harm to or physical restraint against any person;
the abuse or threatened abuse of the legal process; debt bondage; or providing and facilitating the
possession of any controlled substance to a person with the intent to impair the person's
judgment.
(2) "Commercial sex act" means sexual conduct on account of which anything of value is given
or received by any person.
(3) "Deprivation or violation of the personal liberty of another" includes substantial and
sustained restriction of another's liberty accomplished through force, fear, fraud, deceit, coercion,
violence, duress, menace, or threat of unlawful injury to the victim or to another person, under
circumstances where the person receiving or apprehending the threat reasonably believes that it
is likely that the person making the threat would carry it out.
(4) "Duress" includes a direct or implied threat of force, violence, danger, hardship, or
retribution sufficient to cause a reasonable person to acquiesce in or perform an act which he or
she would otherwise not have submitted to or performed; a direct or implied threat to destroy,
conceal, remove, confiscate, or possess any actual or purported passport or immigration
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 30 of 31
Human Sex Trafficking
document of the victim; or knowingly destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, or
possessing any actual or purported passport or immigration document of the victim.
(5) "Forced labor or services" means labor or services that are performed or provided by a
person and are obtained or maintained through force, fraud, duress, or coercion, or equivalent
conduct that would reasonably overbear the will of the person.
(6) "Great bodily injury" means a significant or substantial physical injury.
(7) "Minor" means a person less than 18 years of age.
(8) "Serious harm" includes any harm, whether physical or nonphysical, including
psychological, financial, or reputational harm, that is sufficiently serious, under all the
surrounding circumstances, to compel a reasonable person of the same background and in the
same circumstances to perform or to continue performing labor, services, or commercial sexual
acts in order to avoid incurring that harm.
(i) The total circumstances, including the age of the victim, the relationship between the victim
and the trafficker or agents of the trafficker, and any handicap or disability of the victim, shall be
factors to consider in determining the presence of "deprivation or violation of the personal liberty
of another," "duress," and "coercion" as described in this section.
June 23, 2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 31 of 31
e
CITY OF
i
�l
11saw City
of Marin
August 30, 2016
MAYOR GARY O. PHILLIPS
VICE MAYOR KATE COLIN
kae COUNCILMGMBER MARIBETH BUSHEY
COUNCILMEMBER JOHN GASIBLIN
COUNCIL.1LiMBE-R ANDREW CUYUGAN MCCULLOUGH
The Honorable Judge Kelly V. Simmons John Mann, Foreperson
Marin County Superior Court Marin County Civil Grand Jury 2015/2016
P.O. Box 4988 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room #275
San Rafael, CA 94913-4988 San Rafael, CA 94903
Honorable Judge Simmons:
Mr. Mann:
RE: 2015/2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report: "Marin's Hidden Human Sex Trafficking
Challenge — It's Happening in our Backyard"
We are forwarding to you the following documents:
• A certified copy of Resolution No. 14182 adopted by the San Rafael City Council on
August 15, 2016, approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute the City's response;
• Original of the "Response to Grand Jury Report Form," executed by Mayor Phillips on August
24, 2016;
• Copy of the City Council Staff Report dated August 15, 2016
Should you need further assistance, please contact me at (415) 485-3065.
Sincerely,
jE&4t�,t. G • F..Z, .
ESTHER C. BEIRNE
City Clerk
cc: Gary O. Phillips, Mayor of the City of San Rafael
Jim Schutz, City Manager
Robert Epstein, City Attorney
Diana Bishop, Chief of Police
1400 Firr i AVENUE • PO Box 151560 • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94915-1560
W W W.CITYOFSANRAFAEL.ORG
CITY CLERK
415-485-3065
RESOLUTION NO. 14182
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN RAFAEL APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL'S
RESPONSE TO THE 2015-2016 MARIN COUNTY CIVIL
GRAND JURY REPORT ENTITLED "MARIN'S HIDDEN
HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING CHALLENGE, IT'S
HAPPENING IN OUR BACKYARD"
WHEREAS, pursuant to Penal Code section 933, a public agency which receives a Grand
Jury Report addressing aspects of the public agency's operations, must comment on the Report's
findings and recommendations contained in the Report in writing within ninety (90) days to the
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court with a copy to the Foreperson of the Grand Jury; and
WHEREAS, Penal Code section 933 specifically requires that the "governing body" of the
public agency provide said response and, in order to lawfully comply, the governing body must
consider and adopt the response at a noticed public meeting pursuant to the Brown Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Rafael has received and reviewed the
2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report, dated June 16, 2016, entitled "Marin's Hidden
Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening In Our Backyard" and has agendized it at this
meeting for a response.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San
Rafael hereby:
1. Approves and authorizes the Mayor to execute the City of San Rafael's response,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, to the 2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand
Jury Report entitled "Marin's Hidden Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening in Our
Backyard."
2. Directs the City Clerk to forward the City's Grand Jury Report response to the
Presiding Judge of the Marin County Superior Court and to the Foreperson of the Marin County
Civil Grand Jury.
I, Esther Beime, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the San Rafael
City Council held on Monday, August 15, 2016 by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk
RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT FORM
Report Title: Marin's Hidden Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening in Our
Backyard
Report Date: June 16, 2016
Public Release Date: June 23, 2016
Response by: Mayor Gary Phillips and San Rafael City Council
FINDINGS:
• We agree with the findings numbered: F7, F8, F12, F13
• We disagree partially with the findings numbered: F 1, F4 -F6, F9, F 11
(See Attachment A attached and incorporated herein by reference)
• We disagree wholly with the findings numbered: F2, F3, F 10
(See Attachment A attached and incorporated herein by reference)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Recommendations numbered RI, R2 and R5 have been implemented.
(See Attachment A attached and incorporated herein by reference)
• Recommendations numbered R3, R4, R6 and R7 require further analysis.
(See Attachment A attached and incorporated herein by reference)
Date: Signed:
fo Signed:
Attest:
Esther Beirne, City Clerk
Number of Pages Attached: 5
fillips, Mayor
ATTACHMENT "A"
RESPONSE OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL TO GRAND JURY REPORT
MARIN'S HIDDEN HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING CHALLENGE:
IT'S HAPPENING IN OUR BACK YARD
Findines:
F1. Human sex trafficking is mostly unrecognized, under -reported, and rarely subject to
intervention in Marin.
Response: Disagree partially.
Human trafficking is most certainly unrecognized and under -reported in Marin and throughout
our country. However, when an instance is reported in Marin, officers and investigators work
well with advocate groups and law enforcement partners to assist victims and to build a strong
case against the perpetrator.
The San Rafael Police Department has experience in these investigations, an awareness of the
crime, and a sergeant who is a recognized expert. Of the nine human trafficking cases reported
to law enforcement in Marin County in 2015, seven were investigated by the San Rafael Police
Department.
Marin County law enforcement also participates in "Operation Cross Country", an initiative led
by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to combat the sexual exploitation of children.
F2. A significant number of human sex trafficking victims are from Marin, not just
transients imported from other areas.
Response: Disagree.
There were nine human trafficking cases investigated in Marin County in 2015. One of the nine
victims was from Marin County. The remaining victims were from Vallejo, Sacramento, San
Francisco, Fresno, Oakland, and University Place, Washington.
F3. Reports from two Marin County victim advocate organizations show that
approximately 30% of victims they aid are under the age of 18.
Response: Disagree.
Of the nine cases investigated in 2015, two involved victims under the age of 18, which is 22.22
percent. It is unknown if the statistic of 30% is from a different group of victims, not just those
who have reported the crimes.
F4. Some Marin County law enforcement officers still believe some human trafficking
victims are criminals.
Response: Disagree partially.
It is unknown what each Marin County law enforcement officer believes. Recognition of human
trafficking victims as victims rather than suspects is growing. As more training is done, law
enforcement professionals in Marin will better understand the difference between those who are
forced into prostitution and those who choose to be sex workers.
F5. State law mandates that officers receive two hours of training on human trafficking
and some Marin agencies are not complying with this law.
Response: Disagree partially.
The San Rafael Police Department has complied. What other Marin agencies have done is not
known.
F6. Training of Marin County law enforcement on the Marin County Uniform Law
Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking has been inconsistent across agencies.
Response: Disagree partially.
The San Rafael Police Department has provided the protocol to staff and provided training.
What other Marin agencies have done is not known.
F7. Law enforcement officers and others who are closest to human trafficking believe the
California mandated two-hour POST training video on human trafficking is not sufficient.
Response: Agree.
F8. Marin County law enforcement agencies rarely use multidisciplinary training,
incorporating collaboration between Children Family Services (CFS), the District
Attorney, law enforcement experts, and possibly victims.
Response: Agree.
F9. Training for firefighters and EMS professionals in recognizing human trafficking
victims and reporting the crime is inconsistent in Marin.
Response: Disagree partially.
Training for firefighters and EMS professionals in Marin County in recognizing instances of
human trafficking is important. San Rafael Fire Department personnel completed the
Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign human trafficking awareness training in
2016. Department members were also issued "Blue Campaign" training cards to carry with them
while on duty. It is unknown what training has been provided by other agencies.
F10. It is difficult to determine the extent of human trafficking in Marin because of
inconsistent classification and definitions of the crime, as well as the lack of a central
clearinghouse for this data.
Response: Disagree.
The municipal police agencies in Marin County and the Marin County Sheriff s Office share a
Crime Analyst. All of the Records Management Systems (RMS) in the county are linked to a
single database. The analyst has the ability to gather statistics county -wide on any crime type,
including human trafficking. She is able to search by listed crime type as well as by key words.
A sample of her work product relating to human trafficking is attached.
F11. The Marin County school districts do not provide education on a systematic basis for
students, parents and teachers in recognizing signs of human trafficking.
Response: Disagree partially.
Training for school personnel in Marin County in recognizing signs. of human trafficking is
important. It is unknown what training has been done.
F12. Human trafficking outreach has been fragmented and is currently insufficient in
reaching critical audiences.
Response: Agree.
F13. The Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking Coalition needs dedicated
resources to make it more effective.
Response: Agree.
Recommendations:
Rl. All law enforcement officers should be consistently trained in the Marin County
Uniform Law Enforcement Protocol for Law Enforcement.
Response: Has been implemented. (In San Rafael)
This training was completed by the San Rafael Police Department in May of 2016.
R2. All Marin law enforcement agency heads should insure their officers receive the
California mandated two hour human trafficking training.
Response: Has been implemented.
This training was completed by the San Rafael Police Department in May of 2016.
R3. The Board of Supervisors should convene a local group of human trafficking experts
(including CFS, law enforcement subject experts, FBI, victim advocates, DA's, and perhaps
a victim) to create a multidisciplinary training presentation. This training should include
the unique roles of all County personnel, resources, and processes, in addressing human
trafficking. Additional resources will be needed to support this training as none are
devoted to this task now. This training should include information on the trafficking of
females and males, as well as LGBTQ.
Response: This recommendation requires further analysis.
If and when the Board of Supervisors convenes the above group, the San Rafael Police
Department will gladly participate.
R4. Once this multi-disciplinary training package is completed, Marin County law
enforcement agencies should ensure that all Marin law enforcement officers be trained.
Response: This recommendation requires further analysis.
As we have recently completed the required POST training, the number of hours of any
additional training would have to be considered in our already scheduled training cycle.
R5. Marin County fire departments should ensure that all EMS personnel are trained in
recognizing human trafficking and how to report it, and incorporate this in their annual
training.
Response: Has been implemented.
The recommendation has been implemented by the San Rafael Fire Department. SRFD
personnel completed the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign human trafficking
awareness training in 2016. Department members were also issued "Blue Campaign" training
cards to carry with them while on duty.
All Fire Department first responders will receive additional classroom training by the San Rafael
Police Department and refresher training will be provided on an annual basis.
R6. The Board of Supervisors should fund the creation of a database that systematically
tracks adult and minor victims, using consistent classification and shared definitions to
properly identify the victim and the crime, as well as document its prevalence. Data should
be gathered from any organization dealing with trafficking victims, including law
enforcement agencies, government agencies (e.g. Marin County Health and Human
Services), civic organizations, and victim advocate organizations.
Response: This recommendation requires further analysis.
If and when the Board of Supervisors allots funds for the above database, the San Rafael Police
Department will provide data (within the requirements of the law).
R7. Marin County Office of Education should work with the Marin County School/Law
Enforcement Partnership to develop educational programs to ensure that students,
parents, and teachers are trained in recognizing the signs of human trafficking and where
they can find help.
Response: This recommendation requires further analysis.
The San Rafael Police Department is an active member of the Marin County School Law
Enforcement Partnership. We are interested in working within this group to develop the above
educational programs.
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crrr OF Agenda Item No: ►-4
j
Meeting Date: August 15, 2016
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Police/Fire
Prepared by: Diana Bishop City Manager Approval:
Chief of Police
TOPIC: Response to the Grand Jury Report on Human Sex Trafficking
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Rafael
Approving and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the City of San Rafael Response
to the 2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report Entitled "Marin's Hidden
Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening in Our Backyard"
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution approving the proposed response
to the Grand Jury report and authorizing the Mayor to execute the response.
BACKGROUND:
The 2015-2016 Marin County Civil Grand Jury has issued its report dated June 16, 2016 entitled
"Mann's Hidden Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening in Our Backyard" (see Attachment
B). The Grand Jury has requested a response from all the cities and towns in Marin and the Central
Marin Police Authority. The City of San Rafael has been requested to respond to Findings F1 -F13 and
Recommendations R1 -R7. The Grand Jury's findings and recommendations are set out on pages twenty-
two and twenty-three (22 and 23) of the thirty-two (32) page report.
The Grand Jury recommends the following:
• All law enforcement officers should be consistently trained in the Marin County Uniform Law
Enforcement Protocol for Human Trafficking.
• All Mann law enforcement agency heads should ensure their officers receive the California
mandated two hour human trafficking training.
• The Board of Supervisors should convene a local group of human trafficking experts (including
Children and Family Services (CFS), law enforcement subject experts, FBI, victim advocates,
DAs, and perhaps a victim) to create a multidisciplinary training presentation. This training
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.:
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Paee: 2
should include the unique roles of all county personnel, resources, and processes in addressing
human trafficking. Additional resources will be needed to support this training as none are
devoted to this task now. This training should include information on the trafficking of females
and males, as well as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) persons.
• Once this multi -disciplinary training package is completed, Marin County law enforcement
agencies should ensure that all Marin law enforcement officers be trained.
• Marin County fire departments should ensure that all Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
personnel are trained in recognizing human trafficking and how to report it, and incorporate this
in their annual training.
• The Board of Supervisors should fund the creation of a database that systematically tracks adult
and minor victims, using consistent classification and shared definitions to properly identify the
victim and the crime, as well as document its prevalence. Data should be gathered from any
organization dealing with trafficking victims, including law enforcement agencies, government
agencies (e.g. Marin County Health & Human Services), civic organizations, and victim
advocate organizations.
• Marin County Office of Education should work with the Marin County School/Law Enforcement
Partnership to develop educational programs to ensure that student, parents, and teachers are
trained in recognizing the signs of human trafficking and where they can find help.
The Board of Supervisors should provide the Marin County Human Trafficking Coalition with
resources necessary to expand community outreach to schools, faith communities and the public.
The Coalition should explore a grant for a dedicated position that supports coalition logistics and
outreach campaigns.
ANALYSIS:
As more fully set forth in the proposed response to the Grand Jury (see exhibit to attached Resolution),
Staff agrees with Grand Jury Findings F7 -F8 and F12-13. Staff partially disagrees with Findings F1, F4 -
F6, F9, and Fll. Staff disagrees wholly with Findings F2, F3 and F10. Staff has implemented
Recommendations Rl, R2 and R5. Recommendations R3, R4, R6 and R7 require further analysis.
The City is required to respond to the Grand Jury Report. Penal Code Section 933 states in part:
"No later than 90 days after the Grand Jury submits a final report ... the governing body of the
public agency shall comment to the presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and
recommendations... [contained in the report]."
To comply with this statute, the City's response to the Grand Jury report must be approved by
Resolution of the City Council and submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Marin County Superior Court
and the Foreperson of the Grand Jury by September 14, 2016. A proposed Resolution is attached that
would approve the City's response (Attachment A).
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Paze: 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
OPTIONS:
The City is required to respond, however, the Council could make changes to the proposed response and
then adopt the Resolution and revised response. Alternatively, the Council could return the response to
staff for further response and return to the Council at a later meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution approving the proposed response
to the Grand Jury report and authorizing the Mayor to execute the response.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution with attached proposed response
B. Grand Jury report dated June 16, 2016
ROUTING SLIP / APPROVAL FORM
INSTRUCTIONS: Use this cover sheet with each submittal of a staff report before approval
by the City Council. Save staff report (including this cover sheet) along
with all related attachments in the Team Drive (T:) --> CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEMS 4 AGENDA ITEM APPROVAL PROCESS 4 [DEPT -
AGENDA TOPIC]
Agenda Item #
Date of Meeting: 8/15/2016
From: Chief Diana Bishop
Department: Police
Date: 8/5/2016
Topic: Response to Grand Jury Report on human sex trafficking in Marin County
Subject: Consideration of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Rafael Approving
and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the City of San Rafael Response to the 2015-2016 Marin County
Civil Grand Jury Report Entitled "Marin's Hidden Human Sex Trafficking Challenge, It's Happening in
Our Backyard"
Type: ® Resolution ❑ Ordinance
❑ Professional Services Agreement ❑ Other:
APPROVALS
® Finance Director
Remarks: MM - approved 8/8
® City Attorney
Remarks: LG -Approved 8/5/16 with minor changes.
® Author, review and accept City Attorney / Finance changes
Remarks:
® City Manager
Remarks: